New defibrillator installed at Tyne and Wear Metro station

A life-saving defibrillator has been installed at South Shields Transport Interchange.

The device, known as a defib, has been mounted in the Metro concourse in a special protective case and is registered on the National Defibrillator Network.

Nexus, the public body which runs Metro, has invested in the new defibrillator for the bus and Metro interchange in South Shields.

Defibrillators can help to restore heart rhythm when someone goes into cardiac arrest. They are attached to patient’s chest and gives an electric shock to the heart to restart a normal beat.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “We want the travelling public and visitors to South Shields to feel safe and confident that they will be helped in an emergency situation, so it’s great to have this valuable life-saving device available on site for the public to use.

“Every second counts in cardiac arrest situations and prompt access to a defibrillator could mean the difference between life and death. They are critical in giving someone suffering a cardiac arrest the best chance of survival.”

Kevin Leonard, Customer Service Operations Manager at Nexus, said: “It’s vital that our busiest stations have defibrillators, which is why I’m delighted to say we have invested in one for South Shields Transport Interchange.

“The device is registered on the national network, which means that if anyone is in need of urgent medical care, they will get that vital support when they need it most.

“Our own frontline Metro team have been briefed on what they need to do, but the defibs are also there for a member of the public to use in the event someone has suffered a cardiac arrest.

“When you dial 999 the North East Ambulance Service will always know where the nearest defib is located.”

Nexus has previously installed defibrillators at two of its busiest Metro stations in Newcastle – Monument and Haymarket – and on the Shields Ferry.

All 46 trains in the new Tyne and Wear Metro fleet will have defibrillators on board.

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