Inverclyde leads the way with lifesaving kits
INVERCLYDE is leading the way by becoming the first council area in Scotland to team up with a national charity to introduce lifesaving equipment for first responders.
The local authority has purchased ‘control the bleed kits’ via The Daniel Baird Foundation – the first council in Scotland to do so.
Kits will be carried by the council’s community wardens service but will also be available for emergency services to access if required while they are also out on duty.
They contain essential medical supplies designed to reduce blood loss and can save lives in the vital minutes before medical attention arrives.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “We really hope these kits never have to be used but they are there as an additional tool in those vital first few minutes when someone is severely bleeding for whatever reason and often through no fault of their own.
“I’m proud that the council is leading the way in Scotland by teaming up with The Daniel Baird Foundation to introduce these lifesaving resources in Inverclyde.
“A kit doesn’t cost a lot of money and could be priceless if it helps save someone’s life. If even one life is saved thanks to these kits then they are worth it.”
The idea was first mooted by Councillor Graeme Brooks whose motion at a council meeting for officers to explore the idea of purchasing kits was unanimously backed by fellow elected members.
Councillor Brooks said: “This is an important first step in making control the bleed kits more accessible in Inverclyde but also to encourage other businesses and organisations to follow the council’s example and source their own kit for use in or around their premises.
“If we can get as many publicly accessible venues to house these kits as possible, the public will know there is one nearby available to help someone in need. Those vital few minutes are paramount.
“Heroes often come in the form of zero responders i.e. someone on the scene. A member of the public with access to a kit can be that person who saves a life and prevents a preventable tragedy. Someone can bleed to death in less time than an ambulance takes to get to them so these kits are a true life-saver.”
The council has purchased 10 kits at a cost of around £1,000 via The Daniel Baird Foundation with £5 from the sale of each kit donated to the charity.
The project has been endorsed by local emergency service partners.
Sergeant Derek Bradley, of Greenock police, said: “We are very pleased to have been working closely with our partners to bring these pioneering and vital kits to the Inverclyde area.
“Having a resource like this available to the public could prove the difference between life and death in a catastrophic bleed incident before emergency services arrive at the scene.
“At Police Scotland, we welcome any such means in efforts to keep our communities safe.”
David McCarrey, area commander for the fire and rescue service in Inverclyde, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are delighted to support our partners in Inverclyde Council with the control the bleed kit initiative, which delivers early intervention for controlling mass or catastrophic bleeds.
“These public access kits, supported by wider public safety messaging, will provide members of the public, partners and first responders with vital equipment to control bleeding at a very early stage and will contribute to saving lives across Inverclyde.”
The lifesaving kits were purchased via The Daniel Baird Foundation which was set up by Lynne Baird MBE in memory of her late son Daniel, 26, who died after suffering a catastrophic bleed in 2017.
Lynne, who was awarded an MBE earlier this year for her campaign work, said: “We want these kits to be everywhere and this project is the first of its kind in Scotland.
“I think it's amazing, and I hope the other Scottish councils will follow Inverclyde’s example.”
The charity has also kindly donated a control the bleed cabinet for use by the Inverclyde community, which will be installed at a suitable location at a later date.
For more information, including how to purchase kits, visit www.controlthebleed.org.uk.