CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, is calling for defibrillators to be installed at Tweedbank, Galashiels and Stow railway stations.
The MSP’s call comes following a response received by Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene from former SNP transport minister Kevin Stewart.
The answer from the minister highlighted the 56 Scottish train stations that are currently equipped with a defibrillator, which include some of the country’s busiest such as Central and Queen Street in Glasgow and Edinburgh Waverley.
Kevin Stewart also confirmed to Jamie Greene that plans to install further defibrillator devices across the ScotRail network are being developed.
However, with Scotland having 359 railway stations in total, Craig Hoy says it is crucial that more passengers and staff are able to access defibrillators as soon as possible.
Craig added that he hopes that local people will get behind the campaign and ensure Borders stations are on the list of stations with access to a defibrillator.
Mr Hoy said: “Having easy access to a defibrillator device can often be the difference between life and death.
“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 Borders stations 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.
“I will continue to encourage SNP ministers to guarantee ScotRail will have the resources they need to rollout further defibrillator devices, including hopefully across the Scottish Borders in the near future.”
