Lifesaving defibrillators have now been installed at dozens of train stations in Greater Manchester to help save people in cardiac arrest.
Every defibrillator has clear step-by-step written and spoken instructions built in, which explain how to use it on someone in an emergency, Northern explains, and the newly-installed machines will work to analyse a person’s heart rhythms to find out if an electric shock is needed, before delivering a shock if it’s required.
All units will be added to the national register and voluntary ‘familiarisation training’ will be made available by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to any station staff along with local communities.
84 defibrillators have now been installed at stations across the region.
A further six will be installed later this year, according to Northern, which will then mean that every station run by the rail operator Greater Manchester will have a defibrillator ready for use by the local community.
“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,” explained Chris Jackson – Regional Director at Northern.
“We will continue to work hard to introduce defibrillators at even more of our stations in the future.”
Simon Elliott – Head of Rail Programme at TfGM – added: “I’m really pleased at the amount of lifesaving defibrillators that we have available at rail stations across Greater Manchester… [and] I am grateful to all partners for their hard work getting us to this point.
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“Every second counts with cardiac arrest.
“Having defibrillators within easy access across our transport network for passengers, and for the local community, can have a huge impact on people’s lives.”
Defibrillators are a “vital” part in helping to save someone’s life / Credit: Northern
The NWAS has called the defibrillator a “vital” part in helping to save someone’s life.
David McNally – Community Engagement, Resuscitation and Collaboration Manager at NWAS – said: “Defibrillators are integral in helping to save someone’s life if they suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest [as] every minute counts… and if basic life support and an automated external defibrillator is available in the first four minutes, then there is an 80% chance of survival.
“By Northern placing these accessible defibrillators on stations across the Greater Manchester area, it not only serves the users of the station but also the surrounding community.”
Featured Image – Northern (via Twitter)
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Details released of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners while Mayor
Emily Sergeant
Details of Andy Burnham’s meetings with Manchester City owners during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester have been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed on the situation a little first, Manchester City was found guilty back in September all of its charges related to the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-season period, and on top of that, was also found guilty of the majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the League’s investigation.
According to the Premier League, the independent Commission found that Manchester City had arranged so-called ‘sham’ commercial deals with a number of its sponsors.
These were part of a disguised funding scheme – with those sponsors only required to pay a portion of the relevant sponsorship fees.
The remainder was then funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), which owned the club.
The Commission also concluded, as quoted by the Premier League, that the club had ‘made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the Premier League investigation’.
Within the past week or so, it has since come to light that now-Prime Minister Andy Burnham had dealings with Manchester City during his tenure as Greater Manchester Mayor, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now issued a public statement, giving details on the matter and what these ‘dealings’ entailed.
A spokesperson for GMCA confirmed that Burnham had a ‘formal meeting’ with Man City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, back in October 2021.
The statement reads in full: “In October 2021, Andy Burnham, in his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester, had a formal meeting with Khaldoon Al Mubarak at the UK Government’s Global Investment Summit arranged by the Department for International Trade.
“In his capacity as Mayor, he was a guest of Manchester City FC at home matches on a small number of occasions, including attending Vincent Kompany’s testimonial match in September 2019, where he met the Chairman informally in the stands. These have been declared in the usual way.
“Also during his time as Mayor, representatives of Greater Manchester sporting clubs would routinely join business delegations as part of Mayoral international visits.
“This included representatives from Manchester United travelling to Austin and Dublin, Lancashire Cricket Club joining a delegation to India, and Manchester City FC staff supporting visits to China and Japan.”
Featured Image – Lauren Hurley / Number 10 Downing Street (Press Image via Flickr)
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Multiple arrests made for ‘tragedy chanting’ and police officer assault as Man City defeated Liverpool
Emily Sergeant
Multiple people were arrested over the weekend as Manchester City defeated Liverpool in a Premier League clash.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that a total of 10 people were arrested during the policing operation at Liverpool’s home ground of Anfield as they hosted Manchester City on Sunday 11 October.
One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, five were on suspicion of tragedy chanting, one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, and one on suspicion of throwing items onto the pitch.
Police are now appealing to the public, and are particularly looking to speak to witnesses of the assault of the officer.
At around 6:35pm, as fans left the stadium, a police officer sustained a ‘serious facial injury’ during the arrest of a man on Anfield Road, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but is now recovering at home.
Investigating officers are now conducting enquiries, speaking to witnesses, and analysing CCTV and camera phone footage.
Chief Inspector Leanne Hobin said it’s ‘extremely disappointing’ that an officer has sustained a serious injury while carrying out their duty.
“I hope the arrests send a clear message and act as a deterrent to others,” Chief Inspector Hobin continued. “Anyone who engages in this abhorrent behaviour risks ending up in custody and getting a criminal record.
“Despite the actions of a few, the overwhelming majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance behaved well and I want to thank them for their co-operation.”
Manchester City ended up defeated Liverpool 3-0 during the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2022 
