Dunfermline: MSP asks for defibrillator at railway station

Fife MSP Roz McCall said urged the train operators to install the vital piece of kit after hearing that 56 stations across the country benefit from having a defib.

With Scotland having 359 railway stations in total, the Conservative politician says it is crucial that more passengers and staff are able to access defibrillators as soon as possible.

READ MORE: Community Council looking to dig deep for defibrillator details

"Having easy access to a defibrillator device can often be the difference between life and death," she said.

"While it is welcome that over 50 stations in Scotland now have them on site, I am keen to ensure that staff and passengers using Dunfermline City station have access to one too.

"You never know when an emergency situation might arise, so having a defibrillator on hand to use before emergency services arrive, would be of great help.

"Dunfermline City is a busy station so I believe it is common sense for a device to be installed here.

For anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest, a defibrillator can bring them back from the dead. (Image: Newsquest)

"I will continue to encourage SNP ministers to guarantee ScotRail will have the resources they need to rollout further defibrillator devices, including hopefully at Dunfermline City station in the near future."

ScotRail say their staff manage devices at Fife's busiest stations at Inverkeithing and Kirkcaldy.

And the option of getting more defibrillators at stations and on-board trains will be explored if funding becomes available.

David Lister, ScotRail safety, engineering & sustainability director, said: "There are currently 56 defibrillator devices at Scottish train stations, 46 of which are managed by ScotRail.

"In an emergency, a defibrillator can make the difference between life and death, which is why we've made sure that they will all be located where anyone can reach them at any time."

Back in 2015, the Press launched its Take Heart campaign asking that public access defibrillators were bought and placed in the town – for anyone to access at any time in case the very worst happens.

In the event of a cardiac arrest they can deliver the electric shock to the heart that can make the difference between life and death and keep you alive. 

Every second counts and, at that, time, there were around 20 of the devices in and around the town, however, some were behind locked doors and unavailable during non-working hours.

A year later, thanks to funding from the Rotary Club of Dunfermline, the Mary Leishman Foundation and Fife Council's Common Good Fund, three more devices were purchased, available 24/7 at the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, the Guildhall and Linen Exchange on High Street and the City Hotel in Bridge Street.