Dozens of neighbourhoods in London have become "defibrillator deserts" with limited or no access to the life-saving device, new figures have revealed.
Analysis by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) revealed that 150 neighbourhoods are in desperate need of defibrillators, with a particular shortage in deprived areas.
Only 8 per cent of Londoners survive a cardiac arrest if it happens outside of hospital, according to the LAS. However, survival rates rise to over 50 per cent if a defibrillator is used before paramedics arrive.
The latest figures show that 21 neighbourhoods in the capital do not have a defibrillator, while there is limited access to a device in 129 neighbourhoods.
Newham, Ealing and Hackney have the highest number of “priority” neighbourhoods with limited or no access to a defibrillator, according to the data.
Consultant Paramedic Mark Faulkner told the Standard: “Our new data is a sad reminder that some areas in London are ‘defib deserts’ – this means where you live or work could determine your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
“While there are more than 9,400 publicly accessible defibrillators in London, our analysis shows that there are fewest in areas with the highest levels of deprivation and poorest health outcomes. We want Londoners, regardless of where they live, to have a fighting chance to survive a cardiac arrest.”
He added: “If we could double London’s cardiac arrest survival rate – which the best parts of the world suggest is possible with bystander help – we could save the lives of hundreds more people every year.”
Defibrillators have already been installed across London’s transport network to be used by the public if a passenger suffers a cardiac arrest.
Heart-shaped QR codes are printed on every defibrillator in the TfL network which link to a video on City Hall’s website showing how to perform CPR and use techniques from the LAS London Lifesaver training.
Installing a public-access defibrillator and cabinet costs £1,600.
The LAS have launched a new campaign to fund and maintain additional defibrillators in the 150 communities where they are needed most.
The London Heart Starters campaign will use the funding to identify locations for the defibrillators, install the devices and provide training so people can confidently use them.
Last year, the LAS launched the London Lifesavers campaign in schools to teach children essential life-saving skills.
Children are taught how to recognise when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest and how to give chest compressions to keep blood pumping around the body.
