Lucy Goldstone

I heard from a witness who was the Safety Health and Environment Manager for Metrolink RATM DeV Limited (MRDL) who at the time of this incident was contracted by Transport for Greater Manchester to operate the tram network known as Metrolink that covers the Greater Manchester area. I was informed that in relation to the availability of Automated Electronic Defibrillator that no AEDs are provided on any of the trams or at any of the tram stops on the network, and that it is not a legal requirement or industry standard practise for AEDs to be available across the various tram networks in the United Kingdom. I was also informed that some of the larger rail and bus stations now have AEDs available and that in the absence of a Defibrillator the process in an emergency is to contact the emergency services immediately. In this case there was no evidence that the present of a Defibrillator on the tram would have made a difference to the outcome on the balance of probabilities, however at the conclusion at the inquest I indicated that I would submit a Regulation 28 report to the Department of Health and the Department of Transport to be updated as to the current provision and guidance as to the availability of AEDs.