A life-saving defibrillator is now available at every Northern railway station in South Yorkshire.

Part of the funding came from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), and during the last few months of 2022, 36 new defibrillators were installed.

Incorporated in each defibrillator is step-by-step, spoken word instructions that explain how to use it on someone in an emergency. Computers inside the defibrillators analyse a person’s heart rhythms to check whether an electric shock is needed and if necessary, electrodes then automatically deliver the required shock. Every defibrillator has been added to a national register of defibrillators.

The local ambulance service will provide training in the correct use of the defibrillators to station staff and the local communities.

Last year, over 100 defibrillators were installed by Northern at its stations in the North of England. The latest batch of defibrillators have been installed at the following stations in South Yorkshire:

• Meadowhall, Bentley, Barnsley, Conisbrough, South Elmsall, Kirk Sandall, Chapeltown, Thorne South, Fitzwilliam, Hatfield & Stainforth, Sandal & Agbrigg, Bolton-Upon-Dearne, Moorthorpe, Hope (Derbyshire), Wombwell, Hathersage, Dore & Totley, Kiveton Bridge, Dronfield, Thurnscoe, Althorpe, Grindleford, Workington, Goldthorpe, Mexborough, Kiveton Park, Thorne North, Dodworth, Adwick, Silkstone Common, Darton, Shireoaks, Elsecar, Bamford, Penistone, Woodhouse.

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “All our defibrillators are in public places, and they are of huge benefit, not only to those travelling with us, but also the communities we serve.

“We plan to continue to introduce life-saving defibrillators at even more of our stations. I would like to thank SYMCA for their help in making this happen.”

John Dowie, interim executive director of infrastructure and place at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “We welcome the latest installations as it means that now there’s a defibrillator in or nearby every rail station in South Yorkshire. Having them available on public spaces used daily by a large number of people is reassuring as it significantly increases the chance of survival following a cardiac arrest.”