On Tuesday the Oliver King Foundation and I met with Health Minister David Mowat to discuss what the Government can do to support the placing of defibrillators in all schools and key public areas. The meeting was very positive. Representatives from the foundation presented the case for placing defibrillators in public areas very clearly.

So far the defibrillators that have been put in place due to the work of the foundation have saved 12lives. Evidence shows that defibrillators can save lives. After a cardiac arrest the chances of survival increase from 10% to 50% when rapid and effective defibrillation is given.

Sadly the Government would not agree to supply additional funding for the defibrillators but has instead agreed to commission some work looking into the cost effectiveness of placing defibrillators in schools and public areas.

The workwill test the cost effectiveness of the defibrillators usingthe same measure that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence(NICE) use. The measure saysthatfor every £1 millionspent on the defibrillatorsthey only have to save one life to be deemedcost effective. I am certain that the defibrillators will fit this criteria and get the funding needed.

The meeting has beena positive step in the right direction and a testament to the hard work of everyone at the Oliver King Foundation. The Ministerhas agreed to update me on the progress of the piece of work. I will stay in touch with him to hold him to the commitment he has made.