Under consideration PE2235: Mandate automated external defibrillator (AED) registration on The Circuit defibrillator network and compulsory maintenance checks in Scotland
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce legislation requiring the mandatory registration of all publicly accessible AEDs in Scotland on The Circuit national defibrillator network database, and to establish a legal duty on AED owners or guardians to undertake regular inspection, maintenance and readiness checks so that devices remain rescue-ready and available for use during sudden cardiac arrest emergencies.
Background information
AEDs are widely deployed across Scotland in public buildings, workplaces and community locations, playing a vital role in responding to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. More than 3,000 people suffer cardiac arrest in Scotland each year, yet survival remains low. Early defibrillation is critical, with survival chances falling significantly for every minute treatment is delayed.
The Circuit database, the UK-wide national defibrillator network developed by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with the NHS and emergency services, helps ambulance services direct 999 callers to the nearest registered AED. However, there is currently no legal requirement for AEDs to be registered, inspected or routinely maintained. Devices may therefore contain expired pads, depleted batteries or faults, rendering them unusable in an emergency.
In contrast, Scottish fire safety law mandates fire extinguisher maintenance, despite 42 fire-related deaths in 2023–24. This petition calls for similar legislation for AEDs to help save lives.
20 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
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