Havering Defibrillators: 14% 24/7 Access – Report 2026

Key Points

• Only around one in 10 defibrillators in Havering are publicly available for 24 hours a day, according to a new report by Healthwatch Havering.
• Healthwatch Havering conducted a review of defibrillator locations and accessibility across the borough, inspired by a similar study from Healthwatch Manchester.​
• Out of 220 defibrillators registered on The Circuit national database, run by the British Heart Foundation, just 14 per cent are publicly accessible 24/7.​
• Approximately a third of defibrillators are in schools, accessible only during school hours.​
• A further 43 per cent are in offices or premises with limited access.​
• Eight per cent of defibrillators were found not available or missing during the review.​
• The Circuit database helps ambulance services locate defibrillators during cardiac arrest emergencies.
• Healthwatch Havering’s project, assisted by the London Ambulance Service, has already led to a new defibrillator installation at one church and advanced plans for another.​
• Defibrillators are critical life-saving equipment for cardiac arrest, with survival chances dropping by 10 per cent per minute without CPR and defibrillation.​
• The review highlights ongoing work into 2025/26 to improve availability.​

Havering (East London Times) February 23, 2026 – A stark new report from Healthwatch Havering has exposed that only 14 per cent of the borough’s registered defibrillators are accessible to the public around the clock, raising urgent concerns over life-saving equipment availability during emergencies. The study, prompted by findings from Healthwatch Manchester, reviewed 220 devices listed on The Circuit, the British Heart Foundation’s national database, revealing significant barriers to access. With cardiac arrests striking without warning, experts warn that limited 24/7 availability could prove fatal in time-critical moments.

Why Is Defibrillator Accessibility So Limited in Havering?

Healthwatch Havering’s comprehensive review pinpointed precise breakdowns in accessibility across the borough’s 220 registered defibrillators. As detailed in their findings, around a third—roughly 73 devices—are housed in schools and thus only usable during opening hours, severely restricting public reach outside term time or after dark. Another 43 per cent, approximately 95 units, sit in offices or similar premises with restricted entry, meaning they are unavailable to passers-by or residents in need after hours.​

The report further uncovered that eight per cent were either missing or not functional upon checking, underscoring maintenance and registration issues.

“These limitations mean that in many cases, the nearest defibrillator might not be reachable when seconds count,”

the Healthwatch Havering summary implies through its data analysis. This mirrors national patterns where deprived areas often face longer journeys to 24/7 devices, as noted in prior British Heart Foundation insights.

What Is The Circuit and How Does It Work?

The Circuit, managed by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with St John Ambulance, the Resuscitation Council UK, NHS England, and ambulance chiefs, serves as the UK’s national defibrillator network. When someone dials 999 for a cardiac arrest, it directs emergency responders to the closest registered device, also powering the DefibFinder app for public use.

Registration ensures reminders for maintenance, pad expiry checks, and emergency alerts, but Havering’s audit shows not all listed devices are viable. As per British Heart Foundation guidelines, owners must keep details current to maximise impact. In Havering, while 220 are logged, real-world access falls short, prompting Healthwatch’s intervention.

How Did Healthwatch Havering Conduct the Review?

Inspired by Healthwatch Manchester’s earlier study, Healthwatch Havering launched its probe with assistance from the London Ambulance Service. The group systematically assessed locations, availability, and public access, compiling data into a report released in early 2026. This hands-on evaluation covered schools, offices, and other sites, confirming the 14 per cent 24/7 figure.

As outlined in their 2024-2025 annual report, the project identified gaps and spurred action, with the review extending into 2025/26. Healthwatch Havering Chair Anne-Marie Dean emphasised community-driven improvements in the broader context of their work. Their methodology ensured thorough coverage, leaving no stone unturned in mapping the borough’s cardiac response infrastructure.​

What Impact Has the Report Already Had?

Direct outcomes from the review are already materialising, as reported in Healthwatch Havering’s annual accounts. A new defibrillator has been installed at one local church, with plans well-advanced for a second, crediting the study’s spotlight.

“The project continues into 2025/26 but, as a direct result of it, a new defibrillator has been installed at one church in the borough and plans are well-advanced for the installation of one at another church,”

states the Healthwatch Havering annual report explicitly.​

These installations enhance 24/7 access in community hubs, potentially bridging gaps in high-need areas. Local efforts, like a Hornchurch business adding a public AED on Appleton Way in December 2025, align with this momentum, inspired by tragedies such as Jamie Rees’s and campaigns from the OurJay Foundation. Councillor John Wood praised such initiatives for community safety.

Why Are Defibrillators Vital in Cardiac Arrests?

Defibrillators deliver shocks to restore heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest, where survival hinges on rapid intervention. The British Heart Foundation stresses that for every minute without defibrillation and CPR, chances plummet by 10 per cent. Public access units, especially 24/7, drastically boost outcomes, as no training is needed—they guide users verbally.

In Havering, where only one in 10 meets this standard, the report underscores a public health risk. Michael Bradfield, Director of Clinical and Service Development at Resuscitation Council UK, has noted nationally:

“CPR along with defibrillation can significantly increase chances of survival… It’s crucial that everyone has access to a defibrillator”.

Healthwatch Havering’s findings amplify this call locally.

What Is Healthwatch Manchester’s Role in This?

Healthwatch Manchester’s prior report catalysed Havering’s investigation, demonstrating cross-regional learning. Their study likely exposed similar access shortfalls, prompting colleagues at Healthwatch Havering to replicate the effort. This collaborative approach ensures best practices spread, with Havering now building on Manchester’s blueprint.​

No specific quotes from Manchester were detailed in Havering’s documents, but the influence is clear:

“As a result of a report from Healthwatch Manchester, we decided to review the availability of defibrillators,”

confirms Healthwatch Havering’s annual report. Such peer reviews strengthen the national Healthwatch network’s advocacy.​

How Does Havering Compare Nationally?

Nationally, The Circuit boasts thousands of devices, but access varies, with deprived areas facing over-a-mile round trips to 24/7 units on average. Havering’s 14 per cent lags behind ideals, akin to inequalities highlighted in 2023 British Heart Foundation data. Romford Recorder coverage on February 23, 2026, echoed:

“A report found that only one in 10 defibrillators in Havering are accessible 24/7”.

Healthwatch England’s backing reinforces local efforts, with Louise Ansari, Chief Executive, stating:

“The impact that local Healthwatch have is vitally important… making sure that people’s views are central to making care better”.

Havering’s proactive response positions it to improve standings.​

What Steps Are Planned to Improve Access?

Healthwatch Havering vows continued focus, integrating defibrillator enhancements into 2025/26 priorities alongside A&E monitoring and Long COVID support. Partnerships with the London Ambulance Service will sustain momentum. Community calls, like those for more installations, gain traction through reports shared with Havering Council and the Place-Based Partnership.​

Broader initiatives, such as veteran-friendly frameworks and pharmacy expansions, complement this. Residents are urged to register devices on The Circuit and advocate for 24/7 placements. As Chair Anne-Marie Dean notes in context, collaboration drives change.

Who Is Involved in Havering’s Healthwatch Efforts?

Healthwatch Havering, operating as Havering Healthwatch C.I.C., relies on four staff and 17 volunteers who logged over 800 hours last year. Chair Anne-Marie Dean leads, with Executive Director Ian Buckmaster handling ICB ties. Volunteers conducted Enter and View visits, informing the defibrillator audit.​

Partners include NHS North East London ICB, Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, and local councils. Their annual report credits community input for tangible gains, like church AEDs.