Life saving defibrillator installed at Rochdale Train Station

Stephen Green (Compliance Delivery Manager for Northern), Simon Brooks (Station Manager for Northern), David McNally (Community Resuscitation Manager, NWAS), Lisa Stanway (Community Resuscitation Training Officer NWAS), Rod Hassall (Customer Service Advisor, Northern) and Lawrence Jones (Health and Safety Advisor for Northern) at Rochdale station

Northern Rail has introduced life saving defibrillators at 22 stations, including Rochdale, across the region thanks to a successful partnership with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust.

As the number of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) available in public spaces increases, Northern is offering the same peace of mind at some of its busiest stations across the North West.

The PADs, which are highly visible at each station, are simple and safe to use, with the machine giving clear spoken instructions, and no training is required to use one. Once in position the defibrillator will detect the heart’s rhythm and will only deliver a shock if one is needed.

Natalie Loughborough, Customer Service Director for Northern, comments: “This piece of equipment is worth its weight in gold and across the country countless lives have been saved by the provision of the PADs in public spaces. In fact, earlier this month one of our recently installed PADs was used by a member of our team to help save the life of a customer, which is truly fantastic.

“We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with the North West Ambulance service and of our people who are already using this life saving equipment at some of our busiest stations across the region.”

David McNally, Community Resuscitation Manager, NWAS comments: “This partnership has shown the importance of placing PAD’s in places where high numbers of people are gathered and pass through. If a PAD is available within the first four minutes of a cardiac arrest occurring, there can be up to an 80% chance of survival, this along with the associated awareness training of staff has and will save lives.”