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Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 January 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 January 2019. It was answered by Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative) on Monday, 14 January 2019 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Schools: Defibrillators

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of defibrillators in schools.

Answer

There is no legal requirement for schools to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED), but the government encourages them to do so as part of their first aid equipment.

School-age children are at a relatively low risk of cardiac arrest but to ensure that any risk, no matter how small, is minimised, AEDs are currently available for schools and other education providers in the UK to purchase through the NHS Supply Chain at a reduced cost. These arrangements are available to all UK schools, including academies and independent schools, sixth-form colleges, FE institutions and early years settings (including holiday and out-of-school providers).

The government has produced guidance for schools on buying, installing and using an AED, which can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automated-external-defibrillators-aeds-in-schools.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
206345
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Schools Defibrillators
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk