Over 14,000 cardiac arrests recorded in Northern Ireland as researchers call for more CPR training
More than 14,000 cardiac arrests occurred outside hospitals across Northern Ireland over a five-year period, according to new research published by Queen’s University Belfast and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The findings, released on Thursday 15 October, provide the first comprehensive analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across Northern Ireland between 2018 and 2022.
Researchers found that ambulance crews attended 14,255 incidents during the period, with more than 55% of patients declared dead at the scene.
Resuscitation was attempted in the remaining 45% of cases, involving 6,415 patients.
Defibrillators used in just 5% of cases
One of the most significant findings was the relatively low use of defibrillators before ambulance crews arrived.
Across the five-year period, only 5% of patients received a shock from a defibrillator before the arrival of emergency services.
In 2022, Northern Ireland’s figure stood at 7.4%, compared with 8.5% in England, 8% in Scotland and 10% in the Republic of Ireland.
Researchers say greater awareness of where defibrillators are located, alongside training in their use, could help improve outcomes.
Ambulance response times examined
The study also examined emergency ambulance response times.
Between 2020 and 2022, the average response time for the most urgent Category 1 calls was 10.7 minutes.
This was above the eight-minute UK target referenced in the report.
Researchers also found that the number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests had increased by approximately seven incidents per week by 2022 compared with 2018.
The study notes that the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced this increase.
More people performing CPR
Despite the challenges identified, the research found improvements in the number of people receiving CPR before ambulance crews arrived.
The proportion increased from 70% in 2018 to 79% in 2022.
Where a bystander witnessed a cardiac arrest, an average of 87.5% of patients received CPR before an ambulance arrived.
This compared with 79.6% in England and 87% in the Republic of Ireland.
Researchers said the findings demonstrated the important role members of the public can play during medical emergencies.
Researchers call for greater awareness
Professor Adele Marshall, from Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Mathematics and Physics, said the research provided an important evidence base for improving survival rates.
She highlighted the importance of public CPR training and knowing how to locate and use defibrillators.
Neil Sinclair, Chief Paramedic Officer for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, said the report showed encouraging progress in bystander CPR.
However, he identified improving access to early defibrillation and reducing ambulance response times as important areas for further improvement.
The research was funded by Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke.
Free CPR training in Belfast tomorrow
To mark Restart a Heart Day, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service will provide free public CPR training and defibrillator awareness sessions at Victoria Square in Belfast on Friday 16 October.
The sessions will run from 10am until 6pm.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The event aims to give people the confidence and practical knowledge needed to respond when someone experiences a cardiac arrest.
Queen’s University Belfast — Cardiac arrest research published 15 October 2026