50 life saving defibrillators to be installed in highest need areas in Glasgow

Communities across Glasgow will benefit from 50 new life-saving public access defibrillators (PADs) thanks to a significant legacy donation.

Article Source: St John Scotland
Last Updated: 13 March 2026 13:00

Image: L-R - Ross Irving, Maintenance Officer, Queens Cross; Graham Russell, Wrightkerr All Trades; Susan Hamilton, Facilities and Health & Safety Coordinator, Queens Cross; Shona Stephen, Chief Executive, Queens Cross; Jacqueline McLaren, The Right Honourable the Lord Provost of Glasgow; Barri Millar, Chief Operating Officer, St John Scotland; Allan Pike, Glasgow Chair, St John Scotland / Credit: Nate Cleary for St John Scotland

Communities across Glasgow will benefit from 50 new life-saving public access defibrillators (PADs) thanks to a significant legacy donation enabling St John Scotland to invest in areas where health inequalities are most severe.

The initiative marks the first phase of a wider programme focused on neighbourhoods classified as SIMD 1 – the most deprived areas according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation – where access to emergency equipment can be limited and communities may not otherwise have the resources to secure defibrillators.

The first nine PADs are being installed in Queens Cross Housing Association, with the installations sponsored by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren. Alongside the equipment, local residents will receive training to ensure they feel confident and empowered to act in an emergency.

The project has been made possible through a generous legacy gift to the Crichton Fund, enabling St John Scotland to target investment where it can have the greatest impact.

Early defibrillation is critical in cases of cardiac arrest, with survival chances decreasing significantly with every minute without treatment. By placing defibrillators directly within communities and providing hands on training, the project aims to save lives and strengthen local resilience.

Barri Millar, Chief Operating Officer at St John Scotland, said: “Everyone deserves access to life-saving equipment when they need it most. We know that health inequalities mean some communities are less likely to have defibrillators nearby in an emergency. Thanks to the Crichton Fund legacy, we can begin to address that by placing defibrillators where they will make a real difference and by giving local people the confidence to use them.”

The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “I’m delighted to welcome these publicly available defibrillators into communities across Glasgow. For too many of our residents, especially in areas facing the greatest health inequalities, access to emergency equipment can mean the difference between life and death. This initiative from St John Scotland will give people not only the tools they need in an emergency, but also the confidence and training to use them.”

These installations form the first stage of the programme, with further locations across Glasgow to follow as part of the wider rollout.

Shona Stephen, Chief Executive of Queens Cross Housing Association, said: “We’re proud to be part of this initiative. Having defibrillators located within the community, alongside proper training, could be the difference between life and death. This project shows what’s possible when organisations work together to tackle inequality and put people first.”

Community training sessions will be delivered locally, ensuring residents understand how and when to use the defibrillators and feel confident stepping in during a cardiac emergency.

The installation of the cabinets at Queens Cross was kindly carried out free of charge by Wrightkerr All Trades Ltd as part of an ongoing partnership.

To find out more about the project or St John Scotland’s work in communities across Scotland, go to stjohnscotland.org.uk

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