Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there is a national standard or equivalent for defibrillator provision in emergency vehicles; and if so, whether they will publish that standard.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is no national standard for defibrillator provision in all emergency vehicles, and the Government has not considered centralised procurement arrangements. There are no current plans to make legislative changes to mandate the provision of defibrillators in all emergency vehicles. For National Health Service ambulance services, all NHS ambulances carry defibrillators.

The Home Office has advised that Fire Services and police forces are operationally independent from the Government, and therefore decisions on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) would be an operational matter for them.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed there are already local models of joint working between emergency services, for example where firefighters are trained to respond alongside ambulance services, including basic life support and AED use. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government supports effective collaboration that strengthens public safety.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Defibrillators that all emergency service vehicles, including newly acquired emergency vehicles, be legally required to carry defibrillators.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is no national standard for defibrillator provision in all emergency vehicles, and the Government has not considered centralised procurement arrangements. There are no current plans to make legislative changes to mandate the provision of defibrillators in all emergency vehicles. For National Health Service ambulance services, all NHS ambulances carry defibrillators.

The Home Office has advised that Fire Services and police forces are operationally independent from the Government, and therefore decisions on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) would be an operational matter for them.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed there are already local models of joint working between emergency services, for example where firefighters are trained to respond alongside ambulance services, including basic life support and AED use. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government supports effective collaboration that strengthens public safety.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given, if any, to centralised procurement arrangements to equip emergency vehicle fleets with defibrillators at scale.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is no national standard for defibrillator provision in all emergency vehicles, and the Government has not considered centralised procurement arrangements. There are no current plans to make legislative changes to mandate the provision of defibrillators in all emergency vehicles. For National Health Service ambulance services, all NHS ambulances carry defibrillators.

The Home Office has advised that Fire Services and police forces are operationally independent from the Government, and therefore decisions on the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) would be an operational matter for them.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed there are already local models of joint working between emergency services, for example where firefighters are trained to respond alongside ambulance services, including basic life support and AED use. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government supports effective collaboration that strengthens public safety.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase defibrillator coverage in non-ambulance emergency vehicles.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Many non-emergency patient transport service (NEPTS) ambulances operated by National Health Service trusts already carry a defibrillator.

The contractual requirements for the provision of NEPTS services, including carrying defibrillators, are determined by each integrated care board, based on their assessment of the needs of the local population.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of police vehicles are currently equipped with defibrillators.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not collect data on the number of emergency police vehicles fitted with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Police forces are operationally independent from Government, and therefore decisions on the use of AEDs would be an operational matter for them.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many emergency police vehicles are not currently fitted with a defibrillator.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not collect data on the number of emergency police vehicles fitted with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Police forces are operationally independent from Government, and therefore decisions on the use of AEDs would be an operational matter for them.