FOI 25-091 Public Access Defibs
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-091 Public Access Defibs
- Request Date
- 20 Feb 2025
- Response Date
- 18 Mar 2025
- Information Requested
I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to seek clarification on the activation and deployment processes related to public access defibrillators (cPADs), GoodSAM integration, and public bleed kits within your ambulance service. Please provide responses to the following questions: 1. Defibrillator Activation What is your standard process for activating a public access defibrillator (cPAD) when a 999 call reports a suspected cardiac arrest? How is the location of the nearest defibrillator determined, and how is this information communicated to the caller or bystanders? What is the activation radius used to identify and recommend a defibrillator? Does this differ between urban and rural areas?
- Use of GoodSAM Does your service integrate GoodSAM responders into the emergency response process for suspected cardiac arrests? When an activation occurs, does the system send an alert to all GoodSAM responders within the activation radius, or is there a selective process? If your service does not alert all available GoodSAM responders, are there any plans to expand this functionality in the future?
- Bleed Kit Activation & AACE Guidance Are public-access bleed control kits integrated into your 999 emergency response system? If so, how does your service identify and activate a public bleed kit when responding to an incident involving severe bleeding? Does your service follow the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) guidance on public bleed kits? Are there any plans to enhance public awareness or access to bleed kits in your region? Additional Information: If your service has internal policies, guidance documents, or standard operating procedures related to the activation of defibrillators, GoodSAM responders, or public bleed kits, please provide copies or links to any publicly available versions.
- Response
Defibrillator Activation What is your standard process for activating a public access defibrillator (cPAD) when a 999 call reports a suspected cardiac arrest? How is the location of the nearest defibrillator determined, and how is this information communicated to the caller or bystanders? What is the activation radius used to identify and recommend a defibrillator? Does this differ between urban and rural areas?
Defib allocation is available on any call once a location has been entered. The nearest defib is determined on a radius from the plotted location in the call. The activation radius is set at 500m, we do not have the capacity to differentiate urban/rural areas and as such the radius is 500m for both.
Use of GoodSAM Does your service integrate GoodSAM responders into the emergency response process for suspected cardiac arrests? When an activation occurs, does the system send an alert to all GoodSAM responders within the activation radius, or is there a selective process? If your service does not alert all available GoodSAM responders, are there any plans to expand this functionality in the future?
The Scottish Ambulance Service does utilise GoodSAM, this runs automatically in the background of a call. The only selective process is the dispatch code; however this is managed by the system, there is no "person" input.
- Bleed Kit Activation & AACE Guidance Are public-access bleed control kits integrated into your 999 emergency response system? If so, how does your service identify and activate a public bleed kit when responding to an incident involving severe bleeding? Does your service follow the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) guidance on public bleed kits? Are there any plans to enhance public awareness or access to bleed kits in your region? Additional Information: If your service has internal policies, guidance documents, or standard operating procedures related to the activation of defibrillators, GoodSAM responders, or public bleed kits, please provide copies or links to any publicly available versions.
The Scottish Ambulance Service do not currently have bleed kits integrated into the 999 emergency response system.
