Govia Thameslink Railway has announced that it is to fit defibrillators at its stations across its network.
More than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur across the UK every year, with less than one in ten surviving. Therefore, the use of a defibrillator is vital, as, without immediate treatment, 90-95% of sudden cardiac arrest victims will die.
GTR along with the Sussex Heart Charity has already installed life-saving defibrillators at around 50 stations throughout Sussex and several other busy stations.
It has now begun to roll them out to over 200 more on the rest of its Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern networks.
The first four stations to be fitted with the new defibrillators are Welwyn Garden City, Hadley Wood, Knebworth and Potters Bar.
What did the officials say?
Project sponsor Tom Moran, Managing Director of Thameslink and Great Northern, said:
“Fitting defibrillators to all our stations is part of our commitment to transform lives and communities. I'm sure passengers will welcome this initiative – these devices are simple and straightforward to use and will save lives.
“Your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest fall by 10% for every minute without help and a defibrillator can increase chances of survival by 50%.”
Helping launch the programme at Welwyn Garden City was local Arline Hursey, who lost her 18-year-old son, James, to a sudden cardiac arrest four years ago and set up the national campaign group Defibrillators in Public Places (DiPPs).
Arline Hursey of DiPPs said:
“James was a gentle giant at 6'4 with a wicked sense of humour and an all-encompassing hug. His loss was a devastating blow to his family, friends and his community.
“As time is of the essence when it comes to someone suffering from a cardiac arrest, we want to raise awareness and demonstrate to people the ease of using defibrillators within the first couple of minutes. Our vision is for everyone to be able to access a defibrillator within four minutes. It is a vital piece of equipment to saving the lives of our loved ones.”
Kimberley Lloyd, London Hearts Head of Operations, said:
“We are delighted to be working with GTR as they provide life-saving defibrillators across their rail network. It is great to see this investment in the health and well-being of their passengers and the wider community. Nobody in the 21st century should die because they don't have a heart defibrillator nearby. This initiative is a guaranteed lifesaver which we fully support.”
Georgie said:
“It brought me back to life. I was very lucky to have that defibrillator. It has meant I have had a second chance at life. I went on to get married and now have a beautiful one-year-old daughter.”
Francesca Caine, Chair of Hadley Wood Rail User Group, said:
“Our rail users and the whole community are thrilled that Hadley Wood has been chosen as one of the first Great Northern stations to have a defibrillator installed. This is a really important scheme and we strongly support GTR's initiative to help save lives.”
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