Petition · past parliament

Make 24 hour automated external defibrillators (AED) compulsory in local areas

Rejected 16 signatures

What the petition asks

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that allows the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm in the event of cardiac arrest.
It should be compulsory for there to be defibrillators readily available on a 24 hour basis, seven days of the week - this saves lives.
Each year in the UK there are over 30,000 cardiac arrests in homes and communities. Death occurs within minutes of the heart stopping. On average it takes 8 minutes for the ambulance to reach a life-threatening situation, meaning action needs to be taken within that time period.
Some areas have AEDs available but at restricted use as they are within establishments with opening hours. AEDs are straight forward to use and should therefore be publicly and easily accessible.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

Timeline

11 Aug 2016 Petition opened for signatures
11 Aug 2016 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 16
Status Rejected
Rejected 11 Aug 2016

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.