Thanks very much for your reply with regard to the missing and replaced defibrillator at Romford station. A few questions remain unanswered: 1. You mention that it was discovered that the defibrillation in the public ticket hall at Romford station was found to be defective "at the beginning of June". Can you please state which date in June this was? 2. You mention that "the delay in getting this replaced was due to the pads that needed replacing were a different make therefore we had to source". Can you please confirm in what way was this defibrillator a "different make"? Are all other defibrillators within the Transport for London network an alternative make, and this particular model is unusual in that way? 3. Can you please confirm why the manufacturer or supplier of this defibrillator was not already on whatever "approved" list was required in order to make a more speedy replacement? 4. You mention that "We carry out regular spotlight audits and monthly planned general sections that cover checking the defibrillator." Further on, you then mention that "It is our policy that we audit all defibrillators at every station on a daily and monthly basis." Finally, you mention that "We regularly audit the defibrillators across the route". Hence I am now unclear on what frequency the defibrillators are checked - is it spotlight audits (which happen when?), monthly, daily, or just "regularly"? As previously requested, could you please provide: 4a. a copy of the inspection and check policy and procedure document that was in place at the time that this unit was found to be faulty 4b. a copy of the "register" showing that such checks had been made around the time that the faulty defibrillator was discovered. I re-request this information solely in that when vital critical health and safety equipment is needed, every minute counts - something which I am sure that you are aware of. Discovering broken, malfunctioning or missing equipment at the point of emergency would waste valuable time, and perhaps much worse.

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Our ref: FOI-1347-1920/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 August 2019 asking for information about the defibrillator at Romford Station.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.

1. You mention that it was discovered that the defibrillation in the public ticket hall at Romford station was found to be defective "at the beginning of June". Can you please state which date in June this was?

The Planned General Inspection (PGI) in Period 2 (13/05/19) noted that the defibrillator pads were approaching the expiry date. The Period 3 PGI (20/06/19) noted that the pads were expired and replacements needed to be chased. I can confirm that the defibrillator pads have now been replaced and are in date.

2. You mention that "the delay in getting this replaced was due to the pads that needed replacing were a different make therefore we had to source". Can you please confirm in what way was this defibrillator a "different make"? Are all other defibrillators within the Transport for London network an alternative make, and this particular model is unusual in that way?

There are 3 different types of defibrillator over the Elizabeth line route. The one in the in the booking hall at Romford is an older model and one of the first to be installed.

3. Can you please confirm why the manufacturer or supplier of this defibrillator was not already on whatever "approved" list was required in order to make a more speedy replacement?

At the time the pads were found to be time expired, there was no contract in place for maintaining the defibrillators. This has been reviewed and a maintenance contract is now in place for all defibrillators across the route.

4. You mention that "We carry out regular spotlight audits and monthly planned general sections that cover checking the defibrillator." Further on, you then mention that "It is our policy that we audit all defibrillators at every station on a daily and monthly basis." Finally, you mention that "We regularly audit the defibrillators across the route". Hence I am now unclear on what frequency the defibrillators are checked - is it spotlight audits (which happen when?), monthly, daily, or just "regularly"?

Spotlight checks are a daily check –these check that the units have not been tampered with.

Planned General Inspections (PGI’s) are once every period (4 weeks) and review the equipment to identify faults.

As previously requested, could you please provide:

4a. a copy of the inspection and check policy and procedure document that was in place at the time that this unit was found to be faulty

The relevant parts of the PGI for Period 2 and Period 3 are attached.

Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.

4b. a copy of the "register" showing that such checks had been made around the time that the faulty defibrillator was discovered.

The relevant parts of the PGI for Period 2 and Period 3 are attached.

We understand your concerns, and thank you for raising them. At Romford station there are 3 locations with defibrillators installed. The station is staffed from before the first train until after the last train and staff are on hand to assist in emergencies. Please note that whilst the ticket hall defibrillator pads were being replaced the defibrillators on platform 4 and 5 were available.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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