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.
“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)
News
Home testing kits will be sent out those who never or rarely attend cervical screenings
Emily Sergeant
People with a cervix who have never or rarely attend appointments are be offered home-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme.
The Government‘s groundbreaking initiative, which comes under the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, aims to revolutionise cervical cancer prevention rates by tackling what are described as ‘deeply-entrenched barriers’ keeping some away from potentially life-saving screenings – including a fear of discomfort, embarrassment, cultural sensitivities, and even the struggle to find time for medical appointments.
Participation in cervical cancer screening currently sits at just 68.8%, according to the Department of Health, which is well below NHS England’s target of 80%.
This therefore means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their routine check-up.
Women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening will now be offered a self-sample kit to complete at home by the NHS.
Women who haven’t come forward for cervical screening will be offered self-sampling kits.
As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, we’re tackling the barriers that keep some women away from potentially lifesaving screenings.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 24, 2025
The self-testing kits – which detect human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer – will allow women to carry out the testing procedure in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.
The kits will be sent out in discreet packaging, and can be returned via pre-paid mail.
Anyone who may test positive for HPV through self-sampling will then be encouraged to attend a follow-up cervical screening test with a clinician to check for cervical cell changes.
Experts believe this new targeted approach could increase participation in the screening programme and ultimately save more than 5,000 lives each year.
“These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people’s lives, not the other way around,” commented Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.
“They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.
“We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”
Michelle Kane, who is the NHS’s Director of Screening, added: “There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them.”
Featured Image – Cancer Research UK
News
Fire service thanks Manchester public for cooperation while they worked to extinguish Hotspur Press fire
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s fire service has now thanked the public for their cooperation after crews worked under ‘very challenging conditions’ last night.
One of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left destroyed this morning after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press building, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, late yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 June).
It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.
Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester#mcrpic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.
Formal statements addressing the incident have already been made by Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the latter of which provided relevant health advice.
GMFRS has thanked the Manchester public for their cooperation as they worked to extinguish the Hotspur Press fire / Credit: The Manc Group | Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)
But as of 9:40am this morning, with much of the fire extinguished despite crews still working at the scene, GMFRS has now issued a statement providing the latest updates on the incident and thanking the public for ‘allowing us to get on with the job’
“The fire spread to several balconies at the two tower blocks at number 1 Cambridge Street, and we took the decision to evacuate all residents,” explained a spokesperson for GMFRS. “Firefighters worked tirelessly to ensure all occupants made it out of the buildings safely and there are no reports of any occupants suffering ill health.
“Shortly after 9pm, once the major incident was lifted, the occupants of one of those blocks was able to return home, while the other remains closed as we work with Manchester City Council and the building owner to make the building habitable again.
🚨 Crews remain at the Hotspur Press building to monitor and dampen down remaining hotspots
🚒 Oxford Road train station and the railway lines have reopened but Cambridge Street remains closed
🧑🚒 Thank you to the public for your support while we tackled this incident
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) June 24, 2025
“Oxford Road station and the railway line have now reopened. Crews are still working on Gloucester St and the main area around the mill, but the main roads of Whitworth Street and access off the Mancunian Way have reopened.
“Crews will be joined by specialist fire officers later this morning to begin investigating the cause of the fire, as well as assessing the extent of the structural damage to the building.
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2022 
