MPs urged to back lessons in lifesaving

FIRST-AID organisations are urging Oldhamers to back a bill which will see all secondary school pupils taught lifesaving medical skills.

St John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross have launched the “Every Child a Lifesaver” campaign to urge people to contact their MP and ask them to support the Emergency First Aid Education Bill.

Confidence

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.

It will also ensure that pupils know how to seek help and support when needed, including from the emergency services, and prepares students emotionally for helping in a medical emergency.

St John Ambulance chief executive Sue Killen said: “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.”

The bill will have its second reading in Parliament tomorrow.

Mike Adamson, chief executive at the British Red Cross, said: “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, added:

“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.”

For more information and to ask for support from MPs visit www.everychildalifesaver.org/action.