Heart attack sparks calls for equipment (From Sutton Guardian)

Councillor Peter Fosdike calls for defibrillators in Sutton

10:30am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A councillor who witnessed a woman suffering from a cardiac arrest at train station was inspired to campaign for life saving equipment in Sutton.

Carshalton South and Clockhouse councillor, Peter Fosdike, was at East Croydon Station on Wednesday, October 10 when he saw a 23-year-old woman having cardiac arrest.

London Ambulance staff were quickly on the scene and made extensive efforts to resuscitate the woman before she was taken to Croydon University Hospital.

Councillor Fosdike said: "It was quite upsetting and I got home and did some research.

"As an outcome I am now campaigning for 24 hour access defibrillators across Sutton - the council are already looking into this for me.

"I have suggested funding could come from sponsorship, local committee and other funding sources.

"We have a number of remote communities and my ward Clockhouse is hard to get to and has a vulnerable population.

The sort of equipment councillor Fosdike is campaigning for will enable 24hour access to anyone who needs it and will each cost an estimated £1,500.

The user has to call 999 to receive an access code for use of the equipment and will be instructed on what to do.

Amy Thompson, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "When someone has a cardiac arrest their chances of survival decrease with every passing minute.

"That’s why having defibrillators close at hand where people are likely to collapse or where large crowds gather is crucial."