Life-saving equipment installed at more Greater Anglia rail stations

November 9, 2022

Greater Anglia has installed life-saving heart resuscitators at more of its stations in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Fifteen Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed at Alresford, Braintree, Braintree Freeport, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge North, Chappel & Wakes Colne, Cheshunt, Diss, Needham Market, Sawbridgeworth, Soham, Stowmarket, Thetford, Waltham Cross and Weeley.

The defibrillators are small, safe and lightweight and deliver a shock to treat someone in cardiac arrest. They can also monitor the heart’s activity and give instructions to the users. Anyone can use them. If there is an incident on the station, call 999 to be given a code to open the defibrillator’s storage box and follow the instructions given. It follows the recent installation of five defibrillators at stations between Hertford East and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.

Greater Anglia’s Head of Facilities Management, Mark Ellis, said: “Statistics show that 20 per cent of cardiac arrests occur in a public place.

“There is compelling evidence that defibrillation at the earliest possible point after a person collapses can significantly increase their chances of survival, so it’s vital that this life saving equipment is available in public places, particularly somewhere very busy like rail stations.”

“The installation of these defibrillators means that we are better prepared to provide assistance in the event of a first aid emergency.”