Dame Rebecca Harris is supporting the campaign to increase access to lifesaving defibrillators in Castle Point and across the country after being shocked to learn how VAT is added to lifesaving defibrillators for so many organisations.
The Heart Restart Tax Campaign advocates for the removal of VAT on all Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) purchases to reduce the cost and make them more accessible. Dame Rebecca met with campaign co-founder 20-year-old Jack Hurley, whose life was saved by a defibrillator when he had a cardiac arrest during a game of football. Jack’s campaign and petition are supported by the British Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.
Currently, only a small number of organisations are exempt from paying VAT, including local authorities, the NHS and specific first-aid charities. This means that there is an extra cost barrier for grassroots sports clubs, small businesses, charities, community groups, and private owners. Dame Rebecca is urging the Labour Government to consider removing the tax to make these vital devices more accessible and ensure more are installed across the country.
Speaking after the event, Dame Rebecca commented:
“Access to defibrillators save lives and in an emergency every second counts. That is why I am supporting the campaign to end the Heart Restart Tax to lower costs and get more defibrillators around Castle Point, so that if the worst happens we have more chances to save a life.”
David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the British Healthcare Trades Association, said:
“Defibrillators are vital medical devices that can help any bystander of a cardiac arrest save a life. As things stand many housing states, local charities and sports centres are having to raise money for these vital devices. If we can reduce the cost, communities can have access to more defibrillators, including those that can be made available 24 hours a day.”
Defibrillators are lifesaving devices used to restart a person’s heart in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. If someone has a cardiac arrest and a defibrillator is used within the first three to five minutes, their chances of survival rates can increase by 70%. However, the median distance to an AED from the centre of any given UK postcode is over 700 metres - an average 19-minute walking distance there and back.
Castle Point Defibrillator Locations:
Canvey Island - Leigh Beck Primary & Infants, Canvey Island Spiritualist Church, Canvey Island Yacht Club, Kings Park, Fortuna Stores, War Memorial Hall, Canvey Island Library, Small Gaines Hall and King George’s Playing Field.
Benfleet / Hadleigh / Thundersley - Castle Point Borough Council, Virgin Active Thundersley, The White Hart Pub, Cedar Hall School, Hadleigh Methodist Church, Westwood Academy, The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery, Hadleigh Park and Screwfix Benfleet.
Bowers Gifford – Benbow Club & Pound Lane Mission.
