Defibrillators Now at All East Suffolk Lines Stations

15 April, 2025
Workers hooking up the new defibrillator at Brampton.
The new defibrillator being wired in at Brampton station

Life-saving heart resuscitators are now located at all East Suffolk Lines stations thanks to funding from train operator Greater Anglia.

Ten defibrillators – which can be used by anyone to deliver a shock to treat someone in cardiac arrest – have been funded by Greater Anglia Customer and Community Improvement Fund following a successful application by the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership.

The £17,000 project means that every station on the line Ipswich – Lowestoft and Ipswich – Felixstowe is now equipped with a defibrillator.

The 10 additional units have been installed at Oulton Broad South, Brampton, Halesworth, Darsham, Saxmundham, Melton, Woodbridge, Westerfield, Derby Road, and Trimley. Lowestoft, Beccles, Wickham Market, Ipswich and Felixstowe already had defibrillators.

Defibrillators are small, safe, and lightweight. They deliver a shock to treat someone in cardiac arrest and can monitor the heart’s activity. Anyone can use them as the unit ‘speaks’ to the person using it. If there is an incident on the station, users are to call 999 for an access code and then follow the instructions given.

They will be maintained by Greater Anglia’s in-house safety team.

Greater Anglia’s Safeguarding and Community Safety Manager, Georgia Payne, said:

“Statistics show that 20% of cardiac arrests occur in a public place.

“There is compelling evidence showing 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 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.”

Greater Anglia’s Partnerships Manager, Scott Dolling, said:

“We were pleased to support this really important, life-saving initiative which means that every station on the East Suffolk Lines now has a defibrillator.

“We are always looking to enhance the role of the railway in support of the community it serves and our new Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a way of supporting further locally focused enhancements in line with community needs.”