Lewisham Council is currently unable to map the locations of its 18 public access defibrillators due to data format issues, the Health and Safety Committee heard on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.

The committee discussed the issue as part of a Corporate Health & Safety Board Update. The report noted that while the devices are registered with the London Ambulance Service via the Circuit Network, making them potentially accessible to the public, their precise locations within council buildings remain unmapped by the council itself. The council has been unable to map the available defibrillators because ...we are unable to acquire data in the correct format to undertake this, it has not been possible.

The Circuit is the national defibrillator network which maps defibrillators across the UK, connecting them directly and automatically to each ambulance service. There are an estimated 110,000 defibrillators across the UK. Once located and registered, emergency services can direct bystanders to their nearest defibrillator and increase a person's chance of survival.

The 18 defibrillators are registered with the London Ambulance Service via the Circuit Network. The Circuit is described as the national defibrillator network which maps defibrillators across the UK, connecting them directly and automatically to each ambulance service...Once located and registered, emergency services can direct bystanders to their nearest defibrillator and increase a person's chance of survival.

The report also noted that the average cost of a defibrillator is approximately £1200, with ongoing maintenance costs to ensure consumables are replaced and remain in date. Following a First Aid Needs Assessment and the appointment of a nominated Officer(s), all Corporate Buildings (other than the Catford Complex), where identified, are responsible for ordering, paying, and maintaining their own equipment. There is no corporate management budget for defibrillators.

The Health and Safety Committee previously discussed the possibility of mapping the available defibrillators in Lewisham Council, but unfortunately, as the council is unable to acquire data in the correct format to undertake this, it has not been possible.

The council guidance states that following a First Aid Needs Assessment and the appointment of a nominated Officer(s), all Corporate Buildings (other than the Catford Complex), where identified, are responsible for ordering, paying, and maintaining their own equipment. There is no corporate management budget for defibrillators. The reason the Catford Complex is excluded from the council's guidance on defibrillator provision is because, Following a First Aid Needs Assessment and the appointment of a nominated Officer(s), all Corporate Buildings (other than the Catford Complex), where identified, are responsible for ordering, paying, and maintaining their own equipment.

The Corporate Health and Safety team have provided guidance on the provision of defibrillators, including guidance on the role of the nominated officer, required training, registering with the Circuit and how to conduct checks and order replacement items. The guidance also contains a check list for completing inspections.

The 18 defibrillators are located at:

  • Brockley Rise
  • Civic Suite
  • Granville Park
  • Grove Park Adult Learning
  • Holbeach
  • Ladywell Children Early Learning (shared with Watergate school)
  • Ladywell Day Centre
  • Landmann Way Recycling Centre
  • Laurence House (two devices)
  • Moonshot (shared with Double Jab Boxing Club)
  • Mulberry
  • Old Town Hall
  • Torridon Road Library
  • Wearside Depot (four devices)