§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to expand the distribution of mobile defibrillators into(a) public buildings, (b) aeroplanes and (c) other areas. [119566]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe second phase of the Department of Health's national defibrillator programme was completed in November 2002. 679 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed across a total of 109 sites in England, including airports, railway stations, bus/coach stations, ferry ports and one shopping centre.
In July 2000, the NHS plan made a commitment to provide 3,000 AEDs in public places throughout England. The Department of Health is working in partnership with the New Opportunities Fund and the British Heart Foundation to take this forward.