IPSWICH and Norwich stations install life saving equipment as part of a £2 million government initiative.Anglia Railways have placed resuscitators on the platforms of Ipswich and Norwich stations, in the government's bid to tackle coronary heart disease.

IPSWICH and Norwich stations install life saving equipment as part of a £2 million government initiative.

Anglia Railways have placed resuscitators on the platforms of Ipswich and Norwich stations, in the government's bid to tackle coronary heart disease.

The three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) were provided when statistics revealed that 12,000 people each year suffer from cardiac arrest in a public place.

The AEDs made by Lifetec Ltd are small, safe and lightweight and deliver shock to treat someone in cardiac arrest. They can also monitor the hearts activity and give instructions to the users.

There is evidence that defibrillation at the earliest point after a person collapses can significantly increase their chances of survival.

Ipswich and Norwich Stations are only two of sixty-two sites that have so far received AEDs under the initiative.

Additionally, 18 members of Anglia Railways staff have been trained in their use and Basic Life Support by the staff at Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Coronary heart disease is the single, largest cause of death in England and The National Service Framework aims to reduce this rate by 200,000 in 2010.

One of the key objectives is to provide faster treatment to those with heart problems and introducing AEDs into public places is one way of achieving this.

Anglia Railways' public relations manager, Peter Meades, said, "We are very keen to get involved with this initiative and train our staff in using the equipment to ensure that in an emergency we can give potentially life saving first aid to our customers."

The defibrillators are situated on Platform Two near the Customer Services at Norwich and on Platform Three near the waiting room at Ipswich.