Life-saving defibrillators installed at region's railways

The scheme, partly funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, has seen a total of 36 new units installed in the last few months of 2022 including at Conisbrough, Bolton on Dearne, Wombwell, Thurnscoe, Goldthorpe, Mexborough, and Kiveton Park.   

The medical devices are used to revive people from sudden cardiac arrest and one has been in place at Rotherham Central since 2016. 

All of the heart-starting kits have step-by-step, spoken word instructions built-in which explain how to use in an emergency.  

The units have been added to the national register and training will be offered by the local ambulance service to station staff along with local communities.   

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “All our defibrillators are in public places, and they are of huge benefit, not only to those travelling with us, but also the communities we serve.”

Northern installed more than 100 defibrillators across its stations in the north of England last year.   

John Dowie, interim executive director of infrastructure and place at SYMCA welcomed the latest installations, adding: “Having them available on public spaces used daily by a large number of people is reassuring as it significantly increases the chance of survival following a cardiac arrest.” 

Campaigning councillor Adam Tinsley was recently praised for spearheading new draft local laws to protect life-saving equipment — including defibrillators — from being tampered with or damaged.

It follows the councillor’s involvement in a report by Healthwatch Rotherham to ensure weekly checks were being carried out on life-saving medical kits used regularly in the town centre.