Statements
Avon and Somerset Police have teamed up with NHS South West and defibrillator supplier HeartSafe to deliver the kits in Bristol, Somerset, Bath and Gloucestershire.
It’s hoped the kits will go some way in preventing the “tragic loss of life” on the streets.
Whilst installed as part of the police’s work to tackle the loss of life from knife crime, these kits can help anyone suffering a traumatic bleed, whether it’s a road traffic collision, fall, or other traumatic injury
They include scissors, dressings and gauze, gloves and an instruction guide.
Dr Michael Marsh
NHS, South West Medical Director
“NHS ambulance crews and trauma teams do a great job when confronted with a patient who’s losing a lot of blood, but we wanted to go further in those crucial minutes when an ambulance was still on its way. That’s why we’re so pleased to fund bleed kits, so the police and community partners can get them to the right places to save lives – many of them young”
Mike Vass
Avon and Somerset Police, Chief Inspector
“We know we cannot police our way out of serious violence, it has to be a partnership approach.
Not just between us and our partners in health and social care, but also with members of our communities who can play a key part in helping us.
We employ a number of different tactics to deal with knife crime and prevent it at the source but in the unfortunate event that a person is seriously injured, we hope that these kits will go some way to preventing tragic loss of life.”
AACE
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
“There are a range of bleed kits available to purchase and NHS ambulance services do not endorse any specific bleed kit or products. AACE strongly recommends that all first aid and emergency equipment is easily and readily available and should be stored / kept in unlocked cabinets.”
Clive Setter
HeartSafe
“I am pleased to announce another public safety initiative for HeartSafe, now partnering with Avon and Somerset Police assisting people suffering major blood loss wounds to receive immediate help from members of the community around them. The bleed kits will provide some initial emergency aid to those in need before an ambulance arrives at the incident and will help to avoid a potentially tragic outcome.”
