Lifesaving heart machines on public transport...

A lifesaving heart resuscitation machines have been rolled out across Merseyside’s public transport network.

The special Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are now available at all Merseytravel bus stations, all major rail stations, all ferry terminals, on board all of the Mersey ferries and within the Mersey tunnels.

Almost 200 Merseytravel, Mersey Tunnels and Mersey Ferries employees have been trained to use the machines and provide the critical support to heart attack victims, saving the vital seconds that could save a life.

The joint initiative, led by NWAS, forms part of the wider National Community Defibrillator Programme (NDP) that aims to place 130 AED machines in local communities and busy public places throughout Cheshire and Merseyside.

Merseytravel has given all staff taking part in the programme time away from work to take part in the training sessions.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has provided the defibrillators and fully qualified paramedics from North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) provided the training.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:- “If these save just one life, they are worth having.

Our trained staff are fully trained and ready to react at a moment’s notice if someone suffers a heart problem on the public transport network. It’s vital we do everything we can to react as quickly as possible.”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, added:- “Merseytravel is the first Passenger Transport Authority in the UK, outside of London, to roll out defibrillators across all areas of the public transport network.

In the past our staff would have had to carry out basic first aid and call for an ambulance. Now they are fully trained to provide instant help to heart attack victims – saving vital seconds that could mean the difference between life and death.”

Community Defibrillation Officer at NWAS, Rob Hussey, added:- “We will always send an emergency vehicle, but the community can help us and a patients’ survival if they can play a part in starting treatment immediately.

This project will train and re-train people in life support techniques.

We are delighted to be working in conjunction with Merseytravel and their staff to improve outcomes for cardiac patients travelling in and around the city.”

Katherine Peel, Head of ELS at the British Heart Foundation added:- “Given the large daily footfall on public transport, we are delighted to see this local collaborative effort to improve access to defibrillation across Merseyside.

This partnership approach shares the common objective of reducing premature loss of life. It puts the needs of our community first and we welcome this opportunity to support this local National Defibrillator Programme project.”

Clinical studies indicate that if a patient receives CPR and automated defibrillation within four minutes, followed by further paramedic help within eight minutes, the chance of surviving a heart attack can increase to 43 per cent.

Red Nose Day at Tarleton High School

THE whole school turned up in red item of clothing to raise money for comic relief. For the privilege of being able to wear non-uniform for the day, pupils and staff paid £1.00.

At lunchtime in the hall, pupils organised a bazaar and sold cakes and fancy goods to add to the money collected.

Pictured are two of the year 10 pupils Neil Walsh and Amy Case who attended year group assemblies to talk to pupils about comic relief and encourage participation on the day.

Donation to Breast Care Unit

IN memory of their daughter, Heather, Ann & Bob Abram, have raised over £4,600 for the benefit of local breast cancer sufferers. Most local patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer are seen at Clatterbridge Hospital by Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Sun Myint who also sees patients at Southport Hospital. The money is to be to be shared between Clatterbridge Hospital and The Marina Dalglish Appeal, which also raises money for breast care.

Heather Abram was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995 at the age of 26. She fought the disease for 10 years and died on 23 August 2005 aged 36. She is described by her mother Ann as a battler and a bundle of fun. Mrs Abram also said Heather had told her:- "'Look, Mum, you can't keep taking out, you have to put something back'. We are just continuing all the fund raising she did when she was alive."

Mrs Abram explained that the money had been raised in two ways, by Heather's brother and a friend doing a parachute jump on the anniversary of her death, and by the Banks Brass Band holding a charity concert in October 2006.

Theft & deception On Liverpool Road, Crosby

MERSEYSIDE Police are still looking for two people they would like to talk to in connection with a theft and deception in Crosby on Friday, 15 December 2006. These images taken on CCTV, around 3.30pm, show both the man and the woman. The incident happened around this time when a woman was shopping at a supermarket on Liverpool Road, Crosby, realised her purse had been stolen from her bag.

A woman then went into the bank, just a short distance from the supermarket, and used the victim's stolen cash card.

Anyone who thinks they may know the people pictures are asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.