Electrocardiogram Screening

Lord Markham Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I could not agree more with the noble Baroness on that point.

[Lord Markham (Con)]

My Lords, I took part in a parliamentary rugby game with the noble Lord, Lord Addington, at Twickenham a couple of weeks ago, where, unfortunately, one of our players collapsed on the pitch with a heart attack. He would not be with us today if there were not someone who was able to use a defibrillator to bring him back around. When I was Health Minister, I saw some very low-cost portable defibrillators —under £100—which I think we should be looking to put in place, with training, in all our sports facilities. I would welcome the Minister’s comments on that.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

That is a really good point. The use of automated external defibrillators or the mobile defibrillators that the noble Lord referred to can make a huge difference. In preparation for this Question, I asked how many clubs apply for them through the Sport England funding. It is possible for people to do so, but the numbers are relatively low, in my view. Other organisations and charities fund defibrillators as well. From a DHSC perspective, I understand that the department has put forward funding of £500,000 from August last year to help facilitate the further rollout of defibrillators. They are a vital tool in saving lives in this area.