Henry Smith MP has teamed up with St John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation, and the British Red Cross at the launch of Every Child a Lifesaver, a campaign to make first aid compulsory in all state-funded secondary schools.
Henry said;
“I’m pleased to support the Every Child a Lifesaver campaign – you never know when this knowledge could literally save someone’s life, it is right for children to be taught this important information.
“Such incidences can happen unexpectedly and accidentally, it is important for children to be aware what they may need to do to save someone’s life, for example when someone is having cardiac arrest or a heart attack.”
Henry was speaking at an event in the House of Commons before the parliamentary recess.
There are tens of thousands of medical emergencies every year in the UK, resulting in deaths, injuries and disabilities. Every year, over 30,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of hospital – the vast majority (80 per cent) of them in the home, yet currently, less than one in ten people survive. 250,000 people suffer a burn injury each year, with 175,000 of these attending A&E.
On 20th November, the Emergency First Aid Education Bill will have its second reading in the House of Commons.
The Bill, tabled by Teresa Pearce MP, will require secondary schools to give young people the skills and confidence to deal with a range of medical emergencies including cardiac arrests, heart attacks, choking, bleeding, asthma attacks, and seizures.
Emergency first aid education ensures that pupils know to seek help and support when needed, including from the emergency services. The Bill also recognises the emotional needs of people that step in to help in a medical emergency - it prepares young people to deal with situations where their interventions may not have saved a life.
Sue Killen, Chief Executive at St John Ambulance, commented;
“Nothing is more important to us than young people learning the skills to save a life. We urge everyone to go to www.everychildalifesaver.org/action so MPs see that this campaign has backing in every community. Without your support, we can't make this happen; but with your support, we could achieve something brilliant: Every Child a Lifesaver.”
Mike Adamson, Chief Executive at the British Red Cross, added;
“We have a one-off chance to equip a new generation of first aiders with the skills they need to make difference. Mums, dads, teachers and the public can play a vital part in this by urging their local MPs to support this vote and help us to provide young people with a life-saving legacy.”
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation, said;
“The survival rate for out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK is shockingly low compared to other countries where CPR is widely taught. Our MPs and Government now have the opportunity to take responsibility for addressing this needless loss of life. By supporting this Bill they can make life saving skills a mandatory part of every young person’s education and help save more lives.”
External links:
Every Child a Lifesaver