High survival rate for cardiac arrests as ambulance trust leads nationally
New figures show South East Coast Ambulance Service is ahead of the national average
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has been revealed as the top performer in England for cardiac arrest survival rates, according to new figures released by NHS England.
The trust - which covers Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex - achieved a 30-day survival rate of 17.2 per cent for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in May 2026, outperforming the national average of 10.2 per cent.
As part of its strategy to improve survival rates by 5 per cent over five years, SECAmb has focused on strengthening the 'Chain of Survival' process, including early recognition of cardiac arrest, enhancing CPR by bystanders, and increasing defibrillator access and community first responders.
SECAmb's initiatives also include introducing community resuscitation officers with the support of the SECAmb Charity, aiming to improve CPR awareness in local communities.
The use of public access defibrillators prior to ambulance arrival has increased in the last year, up to 14.2 per cent from 10 per cent the previous year.
Dr Jaqui Lindridge, SECAmb’s Chief Paramedic Officer, praised the effort of the trust's teams and local communities in improving survival rates, highlighting the importance of early intervention following cardiac arrests.
“The dedication and expertise of our teams, volunteers and local communities shine through these figures," Dr Lindridge said.
Dr Lindridge emphasised that from the first responder to the collaborative efforts of call handlers, dispatchers, volunteers, and medical teams, every link in the 'Chain of Survival' is vital for enhancing cardiac arrest survival rates.