'Defibs give people the best chance of survival'

Sam Palfreyman-Jones is urging people to host a defibrillator in their community

"These devices are incredibly easy to operate and give people in life-threatening emergencies the best chance of survival."

The device is a defibrillator, and London Ambulance Service (LAS) paramedic Sam Palfreyman-Jones is urging Londoners to host one in their communities - and save lives.

"A person who has a defibrillator used on them by a bystander is nearly four times more likely to survive a cardiac arrest," she says.

When used quickly they give patients "the best possible chance" of surviving a cardiac arrest, says Sam.

Sam says bystanders need to act fast in the moments before an ambulance arrives

A cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency where a person's heart stops beating and pumping blood around the body.

Sam says bystanders need to act fast in the moments before an ambulance arrives.

Paramedics like Sam are calling on Londoners to host a defibrillator in their communities by contacting the dedicated London Ambulance Charity.

This follows a £140,000 grant to directly fund nearly 60 defibrillators for local neighbourhoods.

The money was awarded to the London Ambulance Charity by NHS Charities Together as a result of a partnership with Omaze - and the £2.6m raised as part of the Million Pound House Draw.

'Defibrillator deserts'

Sam, who is head of community resuscitation at LAS as well as a paramedic, says the grant "will really bolster the Heart Starters campaign and fund nearly 60 defibrillators for the local communities in desperate need of these devices".

She adds: "I'd also like to thank everyone who took part in the draw for helping to give our patients the best possible chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.

"We're calling on Londoners to help their neighbours and loved ones by hosting a defibrillator in their communities."

LAS analysis revealed that dozens of London neighbourhoods were "defibrillator deserts" with little or no access to a life-saving device.

The data also exposed large discrepancies in outcomes for cardiac arrest and the availability of life-saving devices.

LAS said deprived areas were more likely to be in greater need of additional defibrillators.