A new residents' group is to be launched to help heart attack victims.

Harwich and District Fellowship for the Sick has bought a defibrulator, which will help the trained residents respond to calls.

The new equipment was given to Trevor Redburn, area commander of Essex Ambulance Service, at Harwich Hospital on Tuesday.

It will be used by residents in a scheme called Heartwatch to help out with people who suffer from heart problems.

Sheena Parsons, of the fellowship, said: "These groups operate across Essex and they are there, not in place of an ambulance, but in addition to the provided service.

"What they do is to buy valuable time, from the moment the call is received to the time one of the resources arrive on scene."

Published Thursday October 17, 2002

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