More than 16 million people in England and Wales are living in defibrillator deserts, putting them at high risk of death from cardiac arrest. According to exclusive research by the Heart Restart campaign, these individuals live farther than a 1km round trip from the nearest 24/7 accessible defibrillator, drastically reducing their chances of survival.
The Scope of Defibrillator Deserts in England and Wales
The analysis reveals that 35 million people—over half the population—do not live within the recommended three- to five-minute brisk walk of a defibrillator. Of these, about half (16 million) are more than a 1km round trip from a 24/7 accessible device. With more than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK, and fewer than one in 10 survivors, the lack of access is a public health crisis.
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Why Quick Defibrillation Matters
Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation can more than double the chance of survival. However, patients in cardiac arrest who do not receive emergency treatment within 10 minutes—the time needed to retrieve a defibrillator from 1km away—are highly likely to die. The Heart Restart campaign found that with the exception of the City of London, every local authority has residents living at least 10 minutes away from their nearest 24/7 defibrillator.
Geographic and Social Inequalities
The research uncovered stark inequalities. In Harlow, more than 70% of people are at least 10 minutes from a publicly accessible defibrillator. In Birmingham, nearly half a million residents live more than 500 metres from one. Conversely, every resident in the City of London and 77% in Hartlepool are within the recommended three to five minutes.
| Local Authority | % Residents >10 min from 24/7 Defibrillator |
|---|---|
| Harlow | 70% |
| Birmingham | ~40% (500,000 people) |
| City of London | 0% |
| Hartlepool | 23% (77% within range) |
Key Takeaways
- 16 million people in England and Wales live more than 1km from a 24/7 defibrillator.
- Over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually; less than 10% survive.
- Access varies dramatically by region, with some areas having near-universal coverage.
- The British Heart Foundation has launched a community defibrillator campaign to address gaps.
FAQ
What is a defibrillator desert?
A defibrillator desert is an area where residents live farther than a 1km round trip from the nearest 24/7 accessible defibrillator, significantly reducing their chance of survival during a cardiac arrest.
How many people are affected in England and Wales?
Over 16 million people live more than 1km from a 24/7 defibrillator, and 35 million—more than half the population—are not within the recommended three- to five-minute walk.
What can be done to improve defibrillator access?
Community initiatives like the British Heart Foundation's campaign are encouraging local areas to register and install more defibrillators. Public awareness and CPR training also help improve survival rates.
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