John Healey MP launches campaign: end VAT on life-saving defibrillators

British Healthcare Trades Association's David Stockdale, Martek Lifecare’s Rob Higgie and John Healey MP (Photo Credit: John Healey office)

John Healey MP wants to tackle the charge on the sale of the life-saving kits following a meeting with Wath-based defibrillator distributor Martek Lifecare and the British Healthcare Trades Association.

Community groups, sports clubs and charities currently face a 20 per cent VAT charge when they buy the medical devices which give a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone in cardiac arrest.

The Wentworth & Dearne MP said: “It’s great that defibrillators are becoming more readily available to help people in an emergency, but local organisations and charities are facing an extra cost when they look to purchase a unit for their community.

“The majority of defibrillators bought by these groups face a 20 per cent VAT charge on top of the units they buy – that’s around an extra £200 each time.

“This is a tax on saving lives.”

David Stockdale, chief executive at British Healthcare Trades Association, said: “The government does have a VAT relief scheme on purchases made by local authorities and those made through voluntary contributions which are donated to eligible charities or the NHS, but this doesn’t include charities, sports clubs and other organisations purchasing their own defibrillator.

“Defibrillators are a vital piece of equipment, but many groups are struggling to raise the funds they need to purchase one.

“We need to see VAT relief extended further to help these groups and make the cost of life-saving equipment more affordable.”

Early defibrillation with a patient in cardiac arrest greatly improves survival rates.

Figures from the British Heart Foundation show there are currently more than 30,000 cases of out of hospital suspected cardiac arrests every year with fewer than one in ten people surviving.

Immediate CPR can double or quadruple survival rates and defibrillation within three to five minutes of collapse can increase survival by up to 70 per cent.

Martek Lifecare regional sales manager Rob Higgie added: “The simple fact is that if more defibrillators are available then more lives can be saved.”