Anna Gelderd takes South East Cornwall’s defib message to Parliament

When a heart stops, the clock starts. And in parts of South East Cornwall, the nearest hospital or ambulance can be a long way off.

That was the message Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, took to Parliament this week. She hosted an event alongside the British Heart Foundation and the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund, just days after Restart a Heart Day 2026 last Friday (16 October).

Why defibrillator access matters

Anna organised the event to raise awareness of cardiac arrest, the role of community defibrillators, and the barriers that can stop people reaching them when they are needed most.

Dozens of MPs attended, and Anna described the event as “a significant step” in the push to improve access to the lifesaving equipment in communities across South East Cornwall.

30,000 people in the UK experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, and having a defibrillator close by is vital for reducing deaths when hospital care is not immediately within reach. For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival fall by approximately 7-10%.

Anna wanted to put that message in front of parliamentarians from different political parties and from across the UK.

What Anna said

Anna Gelderd said: “I am really pleased to have been able to bring South East Cornwall’s message to Parliament, calling for better defibrillator access in our communities. Places across our area can often be a significant distance from the nearest hospital or ambulance, and time is really of the essence when somebody is in cardiac arrest.

“Following on from my local work on this issue, this event ensured that issues that matter to South East Cornwall were heard by MPs from across the political divide, and across the country, so that we can work together to build a strong case in order to create change.

“I’d like to thank everyone who turned up and those who supported this important event. We will continue to work together and do all we can to keep these lifesaving bits of equipment operational.”

📷Anna Gelderd at the Restart a Heart event