That this House notes that over 40,000 people suffer cardiac arrests outside hospital settings each year in the UK, with survival rates as low as 10 per cent; further notes that survival rates can exceed 70 per cent when defibrillators are used within the first few minutes; recognises that many communities, including over 70 per cent of postcodes in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, fall outside the British Heart Foundation’s recommended three to five minute response window; acknowledges the vital role played by community groups, sports clubs and small businesses in fundraising for and installing defibrillators; expresses concern that VAT on defibrillators presents a financial barrier to wider access; supports the call to remove VAT on defibrillators for community-based purchasers; and urges the Government to take this simple and practical step to improve public health outcomes, empower local volunteers, and reduce long-term costs to the NHS.
