inside:
St Andrew’s First Aid
Bulletin the
Issue 10 December 2012 St Andrew’s
First Aid
Message from the CEO
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Kaye Adams support Scottish First Aid Week
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District3 do Band Aid
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Scottish First Aid Awards
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Setting the Standard
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www.firstaid.org.uk
Thank you for supporting Scottish First Aid Week
Message from the CEO Dear member, I’m writing this shortly after our very first Scottish First Aid Week, which by any standard has been a great success. Many of you will have seen our bus and TV adverts, or perhaps viewed ‘District 3’ from this year’s X Factor learning First Aid with St Andrew’s First Aid Trainers on Radio Clyde’s website. SNP MSP James Dornan kindly sponsored a members’ debate in the Scottish Parliament congratulating us on our work and stressing the importance of knowing First Aid. 39 MSPs of all parties signed up to the motion, and the Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson, promised to consider official Scottish Government backing for Scottish First Aid Week, and our ‘Setting the Standard’ quality mark for First Aid training, during 2013. The Scottish First Aid Awards dinner, held in the palatial surroundings of Glasgow City Chambers on 29 November 2012, rounded the week’s events off in fine style. 200 people enjoyed the evening’s entertainment, and celebrated the achievements of some true ‘First Aid Champions’ for Scotland. You can read all about the event elsewhere in this issue. Suffice to say that we have received a great deal of positive feedback from the volunteers and guests present, and I believe that we have made some great strides towards placing St Andrew’s First Aid back in the forefront of public awareness, as one of Scotland’s most important charities.
New Uniform Update The first 500 stock of the new uniforms has arrived at NHQ and we are working on plans to roll this out. However, there has been a problem with the manufacturer and we have had to return the soft shell jackets that were delivered as part of the first order. This means that while we will be continuing to roll out the first 500 sets of uniform early in the new year, the soft shell jackets may need to be distributed at a later date and volunteers may need to continue to wear their fleece
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jackets as a substitute temporary measure. We are very aware that many volunteers give a huge amount to us as an organisation, either infrequently or as Associate members and their time and efforts are valued highly by us. All our volunteers will receive (or have access to) an appropriate uniform in time, but in the first instance, there is a business need to prioritise the uniform roll-out. You will find an estimated timeline that outlines further information on the roll out of the new uniform and our plans for the future on the members section of our website.
Before signing off, I must congratulate our volunteers who have been out in all weathers, and will be again over the holiday period, to enable us to provide First Aid cover at all kinds of events. ’Glasgow’s Winterfest’ stands out, requiring cover for almost fourteen hours a day for fully six weeks. At a time of great change for the organisation, and with much still to be done, a very dedicated band of helpers have been ‘keeping the show on the road’. We are actively looking at a practical way of showing the organisation’s appreciation in the New Year, and over the next few months will be rolling out new policies and procedures on volunteer expenses, uniforms and training (among many others) which should make life easier for all. In the meantime, a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2013 to you all.
Stuart Callison Chief Executive
Centralisation of Corps Companies’ Accounts Centralisation of the Corps Companies’ accounts is a very hot topic at the moment, with lots of questions being asked about how this is going to work. The Finance Team and the Corps Development Team met with some of our Volunteer Treasurers on 6 December to discuss the draft plans for centralisation, to find out what our Volunteer Treasurers thought about them and to ask if they had alternatives that we hadn’t considered. We invited a couple of Treasurers from each Executive Area to come along and join the focus group so that we had a good spread of experience and knowledge. The outcome of this was an excellent contribution from our
Treasurers with some really interesting suggestions on how we could address some areas of the centralisation. All of our Treasurers said that they could see the reasons for centralisation and most welcomed it, but needed information on the detail of how this will work, for example, on the Volunteer expenses. We now need to pull together that information and prepare a plan for the way forward and this will be circulated to our Volunteers early in the New Year. It was good to have representation from all Executive Areas at the meeting. We would like to thank those Treasurers who came along and took part in the focus group. Your contribution was invaluable and some of your suggestions will most certainly be implemented.
The Bulletin
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SCOTTISH FIRST AID WEEK
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St Andrew’s First Aid
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A huge thank you to all those who took part in the first Scottish First Aid Week, helping us to spread the message that First Aid can save lives. A highlight during the week was a live members’ debate at the Scottish Parliament celebrating Scottish First Aid Week, led by SNP MSP Mr James Dornan.
RESPONSE
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ST ANDREWS 24PP SUMMER 2012_Artwork 14/08/2012 13:02
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St Andrew’s First Aid
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RESPONSE
For Bulletin_Artwork 03/08/2012 16:49 Page 3
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Our wee box saves more than just change To support our aim to train as many people as possible with First Aid skills in Scotland, we have created our very own wee savings box. If you would like your own collection box, please e-mail fundraising@firstaid.org.uk, call 0300 4 666 999 or just drop us a note with your name and address and we will arrange for one to be delivered direct to your door. Please help us raise as many funds as we can to support Scotland’s life savers.
more than Our just weechange box saves mor To support our aim to train as many people as possible than just change with First Aid skills in Scotland, we have created our ve
own savings If you likepeople your own To wee support our box. aim to trainwould as many as possibl collection box, fundraising@firstaid.org.uk Signature of Nominator with First Aidplease skills ine-mail Scotland, we have created our v callown 0300 4 666 999 box. or just dropwould us a note with own your wee savings If you like your name and address and we will arrange for one to be collection box, please e-mail fundraising@firstaid.org delivered your Please us with raiseyour as call 0300direct 4 666to999 ordoor. just drop us help a note many funds we canand to we support Scotland’s name and as address will arrange for life onesavers. to be delivered direct to your door. Please help us raise as many funds as we can to support Scotland’s life saver Page 6
This year we were delighted and very privileged to have two ambassadors for our inaugural Scottish First Aid Week - Kaye Adams and her daughter Charly. Kaye has had first-hand experience of dealing with a terrifying moment when her five year old daughter Bonnie turned pale and fell from a chair during a visit to the hairdressers. “When Bonnie collapsed I had no idea what to do,” said Kaye who has now received training from St Andrew’s First Aid along with her daughter Charly. “As a parent you always have a niggling worry at the back of your head that you might not be able to act in the event of an emergency. You always think it’s not going to happen to you, but things do happen and I hated feeling so inadequate.” Kaye’s comments reinforce research that has been released by St Andrew’s First Aid which shows that Scottish parents are poorly equipped to deliver lifesaving First Aid to their child in a medical emergency. The research found that 45% of Scottish parents would not be confident of knowing what to do if their child was choking and this figure rose to
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52% in all adults faced by the same situation. Scots parents’ greatest fears were identified as head injury, which was feared most by 29% of parents, followed by choking 13%, drowning 11% and burns 8%. “Despite the difference it could make, fewer than one in four Scots are trained in the specialist skills required to administer First Aid to a child,” said Stuart Callison, CEO of St Andrew’s First Aid. “We want to change this in Scotland. For Scottish First Aid Week we have produced a suite of leaflets for parents to download free of charge from our website and we have created a bespoke Family First Aid course based on the greatest fears of parents which were identified in our research. We believe that knowing even basic First Aid can greatly increase
the ability to stay calm in an emergency situation and potentially save a life and it is our hope that during Scottish First Aid Week people will take the time to learn about First Aid.”
The Bulletin
FIRST AID ON THE BUSES As part of Scottish First Aid Week we launched a high profile campaign including advertising on buses and the rail network. The theme of the campaign supported our message of ‘You kiss them every day but if you had to give the kiss of life, would you know how?’ The on-the-road campaign was closely followed with a TV commercial again endorsing our campaign message. The tone adopted throughout was positive, practical and empowering - with a little knowledge everyone has the ability to save a life - and supports our recently launched ‘Setting the Standard in First Aid in Scotland’ quality mark initiated by the charity. This quality mark aims to build awareness of the need for individuals and businesses to gain the skills that could save a life and is part of a drive to build community resilience across Scotland ahead of 2014.
X-FACTOR DISTRICT 3 DO BAND AID Clyde 1 filmed a special Band Aid video with X Factor stars District 3 and Stewart and Angie from St Andrew’s First Aid. The film was created to get across the message that First Aid can save lives and during filming the trio learned some basic First Aid skills. Clyde 1 presenters supported Scottish First Aid Week by discussing the video live on air and asking listeners to go to their facebook page at http:// tinyurl.com/distrct3firstaid to pick up some life saving tips.
Issue 10 December 2012
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O
rganised as the culmination of Scottish First Aid Week, the Scottish First Aid Awards were held to find the champions of First Aid in Scotland. Supported by GlaxoSmithKline, The Herald, Glasgow City Council, and SCVO the awards have been developed to help raise awareness that First Aid skills can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved - in the workplace, at school, or in the community. The judges were really impressed with the quality and level of entries for this inaugural event and Stuart Callison, CEO of St Andrew’s First Aid, said, “I would like to congratulate all those who were nominated for an award as each nominee has demonstrated an excellent use of their First Aid skills in Scotland. It was really difficult for the judges to select a winner in each category and I congratulate them all for leading the way and helping Scotland become more First Aid aware. I hope their actions and stories will encourage others to take up the challenge and learn vital First Aid techniques.” Winners were presented with their Scottish First Aid Award at a glittering evening event, hosted by media presenter Scott Wilson at the Glasgow City Chambers. The Lord Provost of Glasgow hosted the drinks reception and over 200 people attended to acknowledge and show support for both the winners and nominees. During the awards ceremony Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall joined pupils from Kirkintillloch High School to perform an outstanding rendition of ‘Proud’ before going on to sing three solo songs.
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The Bulletin
THANK YOU These awards were only possible with the support of GlaxoSmithKline, The Herald, SCVO and Glasgow City Council. St Andrew’s First Aid would also like to thank the following organisations for their valued support: The Grand Central Hotel, Burns Stewart Distillers, Twisted Willow Design, Celebrity Chef Jacqueline O’Donnell, Clyde 1, Browns, The Famous Grouse Experience, STV, the Two Fat Ladies Restaurant, Nucoco Chocolate, The Good Spirits Company, Glasgow Rocks, The Residence Spa for Two, Tesco, the SECC, Tunnocks, Irn Bru, Hamlyn’s Porridge Oats, and Walkers Shortbread.
Issue 10 December 2012
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Not for Profit/Public Sector Award This award recognises individuals or organisations within the Not for Profit/Public Sector that are championing First Aid training to their staff, the public and their customers.
WINNER: John Nimmo of Edinburgh University (EU)
who is pictured with Bailie Aileen Colleran.
John is the First Aid Trainer within the Corporate Health & Safety Department of EU. He is responsible for all First Aid at Work training and Emergency First Aid training throughout the university community. At present, there are 501 trained First Aiders and 127 Emergency First Aiders throughout the schools, colleges, and support units which make up the University of
Edinburgh. John oversees the management of training for all these individuals ensuring their qualifications are kept up-to-date and he shows a great commitment to the First Aid training that he carries out, over and above the requirements of his role. He is an excellent champion for First Aid at Work and will regularly provide First Aid training for external charities on a goodwill basis.
Private Sector Business Award This award recognises individuals or organisations in the Private Sector that are championing First Aid training to their staff, the public and their customers.
WINNER: Phil Glennie, Braemar Mountaincraft who is pictured with Stuart Callison, CEO, St Andrew’s First Aid. Phil’s enthusiasm for delivering quality First Aid is unbounded. As well as running various levels of courses commercially, both for himself and other providers, Phil regularly assists voluntary groups such as Girl Guiding UK, the Scouting Movement and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He has been a member of Scottish Mountain Rescue for 25 years and during this time his contribution in terms of First Aid training and practical on the hill delivery has been invaluable.
Young First Aider of the Year Young people are the First Aiders of the future. This award has been created to celebrate a young volunteer under the age of 16 years who has made excellent use of their First Aid skills.
WINNER: Yasmin Webb who is pictured with Peter Currid, EHS Leader, GlaxoSmithKline. Yasmin is a Cadet with the Monktonhall Colliery division of St Andrew’s First Aid. Yasmin’s aunt has MS and has fallen twice. Yasmin was nominated because on one of these occasions her aunt fell outside her house and spilt her head open. Yasmin was extremely calm during the situation and kept her aunt talking. She then helped to clean up and bandage the head wound before her aunt went to hospital for treatment.
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The Bulletin
Youth First Aider of the Year Youth volunteers are helping to shape the future of First Aid. This award has been created to celebrate a young volunteer between the age of 16 to 24 who has shown an outstanding commitment to First Aid in Scotland.
WINNER: Emma Nicholson who is pictured with Real Radio presenter, Cat Harvey In the last year Emma has taken on a massive commitment to First Aid. After completing the leadership course she has taken on the role of Leader of Clydebank Company and has also taken on roles within her local area committee. Outside of all these meetings she works full time and attends many events at weekends providing essential First Aid cover. During the next year she is aiming to complete her Trainer/Assessor course which will enable her to teach others the skills needed to get out there and be a successful First Aider.
First Aider of the Year Volunteers are the lifeblood of a non-profit organisation. This category has been created to celebrate volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of First Aid in Scotland.
WINNER: Darren Miller who is pictured with celebrity Chef, Jacqueline O’Donnell. Darren has been an extremely committed and enthusiastic volunteer for over 10 years, having joined as a teenager. He has taken on various roles over the years, and has been instrumental in developing and publicising the work of St Andrew’s First Aid teaching Cadets, as well as volunteering to attend events at every opportunity. He continued his duties while dreadfully ill with an undetected cyst in his brain, showing remarkable commitment to the organisation. He had a shunt fitted about 18 months ago, and continues to devote the majority of his spare time to St Andrew’s First Aid.
Community First Aid Champion This award is sponsored by the Herald and has been created to recognise courageous individuals who have been called on to put their First Aid skills into practice in the community.
WINNER: Elliot Aitchison who is pictured with Sunday Herald Editor, Richard Walker. Elliot is a member of the lifeguarding team at Gracemount Leisure Centre in Edinburgh. On 26 April this year, Elliot was at the poolside when he became aware that a two year old toddler who was with his mum was in difficulty. Elliot rushed over to the mum who handed over her son who by this time was limp and lifeless. Elliot took the toddler and calmly called for assistance whilst proceeding to resuscitate the infant. By the time help arrived, Elliot had cleared the airway and the toddler was breathing again. There is no doubt that Elliot’s prompt action saved this toddler’s life.
Issue 10 December 2012
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SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR GLENROTHES COUPLE A Glenrothes couple who comforted a dying woman in the wake of a horrific crash received a Special Commendation at the Scottish First Aid Awards. Felicity and Mark Brown (pictured below with their son Daniel) were returning from holiday when they were confronted by the immediate aftermath of an accident. The couple insisted they were just putting their training into action but they were on the scene to help a dying woman and others affected by the crash.
They hope their actions can serve as an incentive for others to learn the potentially life-saving skills which First Aid training provides. Recalling the incident they said: “We were on our way back home coming down the A9 near Dunkeld when we came upon the accident.
A car had seemingly smashed into the back of a lorry that was sitting in a lay-by. We managed to get the door of the car open and took the keys out of the ignition to make it safe. It was obvious the woman was in a pretty bad way – if the accident had happened in the car park of a hospital she still wouldn’t have survived. Your hearing is the last sense to go before you die, so we just talked to her and comforted her as best we could. Afterwards, we attended to the lorry driver and other people at the scene.” In the words of one witness: “All of a sudden the young couple pulled
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over, jumped out of their car and took charge of the situation. They gave me instructions on what to tell the 999 operator and made sure everyone else was safe. Sadly it became apparent that the young driver would not survive much longer – this did not deter the young couple. They sat and comforted her in the last moments of her life. When the emergency services arrived the couple looked after the witnesses, praying with those who wanted to. I even saw them offer food and drink to the emergency workers. I was so amazed by this young couple, who had not a thought for themselves but of everyone else. They deserve so much thanks and recognition for their heroic actions.”
The Bulletin
FIRST AIDERS ON DUTY AT WORLD PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Our First Aiders were on duty this year at the World Pipe Band Championships held on Saturday 11th August 2012. Scotland, and in particular Glasgow, has become the world centre of piping and drumming each year as it plays host to the Championships and the renowned international piping festival, Piping Live. The week long festival of is one of the UK’s most exciting annual celebrations of Scottish culture and our First Aiders are proud to be part of an electric atmosphere as one of Europe’s most exciting cities welcomes visitors from around the globe.
ON DUTY AT RAF LEUCHARS This year we were again on duty, manning First Aid posts at the 2012 RAF in Scotland Airshow. Volunteers attending for duty came from all over Central Scotland and our Duty Officer for the event was Justin Tutt (Glenrothes Company). As St Andrew’s First Aid has been covering this duty for many years there is always a good balance
Issue 10 December 2012
ST ANDREW’S FIRST AIDERS SUPPORT TOP TV COMEDIAN TARBY Our First Aiders were on duty as top television comedian Jimmy Tarbuck swapped The London Palladium for the Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath. Tarby, as he is known to millions of TV viewers, is one of the country’s most evergreen performers and a master of light entertainment.
of volunteers who have significant experience of the duty and volunteers who are new to the event or have only been a few times. We also have an excellent relationship with the local Scottish Ambulance Service staff. It’s not unusual for the attendance at the Airshow to be in excess of 50,000 people of all age groups and fortunately, this year, casualty numbers were low with no major incidents.
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Robbers steal football mascot in break-in at Greenock Morton’s stadium
FAMILY FIRST AID COURSES
Robbers recently broke into a football ground and made off with the club mascot, the Cappie the Cat costume. The thieves targeted the home of First Division Greenock Morton FC and stole a public announcement system from Cappielow Park, as well as the costume for club mascot Cappie the Cat. Strathclyde Police confirmed the hands, feet and head of the mascot costume had been recovered from a nearby garden after the theft took place. With a huge amount of effort, Greenock Morton patched him up and our First Aiders were on hand to welcome him back into the stadium in style. First Aider, Willie Cooper said, “This incident had a great impact in our community and when Cappie the Cat was fully repaired we were delighted to play our part in welcoming him back to match fitness. When we stretchered him into the stadium there was a fantastic response from the crowd and it is really good to have Cappie back where he belongs.”
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In an emergency situation it is critical that basic First Aid can be delivered with confidence. Every parent dreads a serious injury happening to their child and basic First Aid training could make a life-saving difference.
The course content includes:
Our Family First Aid course is ideal for families - children, parents, grandparents and anyone who babysits- to learn First Aid together. It addresses the greatest fears of parents as identified in our recent research and provides the skills to help each other in an emergency or when general accidents happen around the house.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Safety at home, emergency contacts and primary survey • Recovery position • Choking in adults, children and babies • Burns • Wounds and bleeding Course materials include information cards to take away with you and a First Aid kit. On successful completion of the course, your certificate is valid for three years.
The Bulletin
THE NAME’S FULTON, GEORGETTE FULTON
In October Georgette Fulton along with eleven other daredevil volunteers took part in a 165ft SAS style (i.e free-fall) abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge. Not only did Georgette help to raise essential funds for the organisation by participating in the abseil but she also took part for another special reason, to celebrate and mark her 72nd birthday. The abseil is a huge adrenaline rush for those who are brave enough to take part so Georgette certainly won’t forget this birthday in a hurry! Georgette is Leader of the Cumnock and District Company and has been
a volunteer with us for over nineteen years. Stephanie Stewart, Marketing and Fundraising Officer, said: “We are delighted that Georgette has chosen to celebrate her 72nd birthday by taking part in the Forth Rail Bridge abseil for us. She is highly thought of by everyone at St Andrew’s First Aid for her continued commitment and dedication to the organisation and is a true champion of First Aid skills in Scotland.”
FANCY A GO? Next year we need daredevils to take part in the Forth Rail Bridge abseil on 19 May 2013 or the Dundee University Tower abseil on 24 August 2013. Fancy a go? This is your chance to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush so give us a call now on 0141 332 4031 and speak to Stephanie or email fundraising@firstaid.org.uk.
Community support for Scottish First Aid Week St Andrew’s First Aiders all over Scotland were out in their communities in support of Scottish First Aid Week. Their aim was to get across the message that even basic First Aid can greatly increase the ability to stay calm in an emergency situation and potentially save a life. The First Aiders also took the opportunity to fundraise during the week.
Issue 10 December 2012
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First Aid on the menu for Scottish hospitality St Andrew’s First Aid has called on Scotland’s hospitality industry to recognise the potential of First Aid training to save the lives of not only employees, but also guests. Celebrity chef Jacqueline O’Donnell helped launched the campaign and is aiming to be one of the first restaurants in Scotland to be awarded the Setting the Standard accreditation. As Scotland’s leading provider of First Aid training, we have launched an accreditation scheme: ‘Setting the Standard in First Aid’. The scheme is aimed at helping Scotland’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions become more First Aid aware by recognising those who also take their guests into consideration in their First Aid planning. Focussing the campaign on the hospitality sector will benefit all of Scottish society. Over 200,000 people are employed in the Scottish hospitality sector and visitors on over 15.7 million trips to Scotland have used their services, in addition to local visitors. Stuart Callison, CEO of St Andrew’s First Aid said: “The hospitality and leisure sectors are incredibly important to Scotland’s economy and we believe the industry has a responsibility to help employees and guests who need medical assistance”. Setting the Standard was launched by celebrity Chef Jacqueline O’Donnell who is aiming for The Sisters restaurants in Glasgow to be one of the first restaurants in Scotland to be awarded the accreditation mark. Jacqueline said, “The hospitality business is about putting people first, customers and staff. Emergencies will happen, even with the best preparation. When it comes to customer service, can you do more than save someone’s life?” “People deserve recognition for going the extra mile for their customers. St Andrew’s First Aid’s Setting the Standard initiative is a great idea to encourage
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workers and businesses to become more First Aid aware.” As part of Setting the Standard, St Andrew’s First Aid is aiming for the Scottish hospitality sector to become a leader in First Aid awareness ahead of 2014, the year of Homecoming, the Ryder Cup, and the Commonwealth Games. To assist, we have created a free online toolkit of what to do in emergencies which commonly arise in hospitality situations. We have also developed a tailored training workshop aimed at hospitality workers. The online advice covers situations from dealing with burns in the kitchens to heart attacks in the lobby and is available from our website. The site Stuart Callison, CEO of St Andrew’s First Aid said, also contains information on statutory requirements “First Aid awareness is about more than on the job and best practice when it comes to being First Aid training, it is a life skill that benefits society. Every day prepared and provides a language guide to help we are more likely than not to be near or come into people understand distress words and gestures in contact with someone working in hospitality. Their 6PP A5 STS Leaflet 2012_AW 08/11/2012 10:17 Page 4 training can benefit everyone.” foreign languages.
‘Setting the Standard in First Aid’ has been developed to help Scotland's hotels, restaurants, and attractions become more First Aid aware by recognising those businesses that have also taken guests into consideration whilst planning their First Aid.
To achieve the entry level ‘Setting the Standard in First Aid’ tick mark to display The Bulletin on your premises, we need to know that: 1. You have a relevant HSE First Aid training certificate in place for the appropriate number of staff and visitors to your premises. 2. You have undertaken a risk assessment that includes both employees and guests.
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St Andrew’s First Aid Training and Supplies Ltd specialise in the provision of training in the workplace and the community and can help you achieve quality First Aid standards.
Endorsements of Setting the Standard “ The British Hospitality Association is delighted to endorse your campaign to improve the first aid capability of the hospitality industry. We recognise that despite taking steps to minimise risk there are potential hazards to staff, especially in kitchens. We also recognise that, from time to time, there may be accidents or illness involving both staff and guests in our premises. While hotels and restaurants normally have trained first aiders on the staff, I am sure that there is room for improvement and we are happy to do what we can to improve the position.”
Endorsements of Setting the Standard
“ The British Hospitality Association is delighted toMacleod, endorseExecutive your William Director - BHA Scotland campaign to improve the first aid capability of the hospitality industry. We recognise that despite taking steps to minimise risk there are potential hazards to staff, especially in kitchens. We “ The few years will no doubt be a busy time for the also recognise that, from time to time, there maynext be accidents hospitality premises.industry While and the Scottish tourism sector as a whole. or illness involving both staff and guests in our Major events such hotels and restaurants normally have trained first aiders on theas the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup will attract a diverse and international audience to Scotland. staff, I am sure that there is room for The awareness raised by your campaign will, I am sure, help improvement and we are happy to do the industry to plan for every eventuality what we can to improve the position.” as it prepares to welcome visitors and William Macleod, Executive Director - BHA Scotland participants from all over the world.” pitality Association is delighted to endorse your prove the first aid capability of the hospitality Eddie Brogan, Scottish Enterprise, bination • Adespite tailored service meet to your needs. risk ognise that takingtosteps minimise Tourism and Tayside Director. • Adding value to your St in Andrew’s “ The next fewFirst years tial hazards to staff, especially kitchens. We will no doubt be a busy time for the y First Aid experience through keenbe pricing and and the Scottish tourism sector as a whole. hospitality industry hat, from time to time, there may accidents localised delivery. events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder While ng both staff and guests in Major our premises. • Up-skilling your people with life saving askills. “ Visit Scotland is delighted to endorse this Cupfirst willaiders attract diverse and international audience to Scotland. urants normally have trained on the tently • Saving you time and money through our oncampaign – the objectives fit well with our The awareness raised by your campaign will, I am sure, help hat there isline room for shop and package deals. e, supplies Scotland prepares message in the lead up the industry to plan for every eventuality d we are happy to do ng and The ‘Setting the Standard’ award goes beyond “The British “The next few to Homecoming 2014.” “Visit Scotland it prepares toaswelcome visitors and mprove the beingposition.” just a ‘badge’. Itas is recognition that an Hospitality years will no doubt is delighted to participants from all over the world.” informed employeris you take your staff, t Association be a busy time endorse this Mike Cantlay, Chairman ecutive Director - BHA Scotland customers and the wider public into delighted toEddie endorse for the hospitality campaign – the Brogan, Scottish Enterprise, consideration as part of customer your campaign toyour improve the first aid industry and the objectives fit well with our Scotland care experience. Tourism and Tayside Director. g our
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Endorsements of Setting the Standard
capability of the hospitality industry. We Together we can save lives.
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St Andrew’s First Page Aid15 is Setting the Standard
Dundee’s Desperate Dan dons uniform to support First Aid training Desperate Dan, the iconic character from The Dandy, donned a St Andrew’s First Aid uniform to show support for First Aid training in Dundee and Tayside. To mark the expansion of our commercial training activities in the area, we kitted out the statue of Desperate Dan which is situated in Dundee city centre. We have employed a new local training manager, Gaynor Stevenson, through our new commercial division. She will be responsible for promoting First Aid training and equipment to businesses in the Dundee and Tayside area and will be working to encourage businesses in the area to become First Aid aware through local training courses. Managing Director of the commercial division, Mary McLuskey said: “This is the first time we have a dedicated person to promote First Aid training to businesses in the Dundee and Tayside area. We are looking forward to helping more businesses, big and small, become First Aid aware. “We believe companies should view First Aid training as part of their commitment to corporate social responsibility and community resilience. After all, what can be more socially responsible than helping to save a life?”
St Andrew’s First Aid gifted banner advertising at football stadium Airdrie Company was proudly displaying their new banner on display at Airdrie Football Club. The space was kindly donated by Excelsior Stadium and Airdrie Football Club with the sign donated by Auto-Art. Pictured in the photograph are (left to right): John Drysdale Airdrie FC Commercial Manager, Karen Coats Excelsior Stadium Manager, Ralph Campbell Commandant of Airdrie Company, Fiona Lumsden Corps Development Officer with St Andrew’s First Aid and Shirley Kilgour Member of Airdrie Company and owner of Auto-Art.
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The Bulletin
JUMP2IT St Andrew’s First Aid is once again proud to support the Jump2It programme, which is delivered by Scottish Sports Futures and provides young people in Scotland with the information they require to make positive lifestyle decisions. The programme targets areas of deprivation, aiming to engage with ‘hard to reach’ young people whilst encouraging integration and team work between diverse groups. Children are taught the importance of working together and how sport can be exciting and fun, and schools travel to take part in tournaments and finals at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Through the Jump2it programme, three First Aid ten minute modules will be delivered to a minimum of 100 primary schools in Scotland per year. The modules being delivered are; Nosebleed, sprained ankle and fainting. The sessions are designed for children aged 10 to 12 and will be predominately delivered in areas of deprivation with a reach of over 6,000 pupils over 350 sessions. The aim is to build a relationship with these communities and encourage a greater understanding of the importance of First Aid to the young people and their families and to identify new volunteers in areas which can be difficult to reach. By engaging with the young people within schools at a time when they are having fun and are eager to participate and to learn new skills, it is hoped they will have a better understanding of First Aid and potential life saving skills.
Young First Aider of the Year Competition 2012 Issue 10 December 2012
Young members of St Andrew’s First Aid recently came together for the ultimate First Aid challenge. Teams competed in a range of First Aid tasks including casualty and incident simulation and the competition was attended by sponsors the Saint Andrew Society of Glasgow who donated prizes for all the winners.
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Robert’s personal story of having high blood pressure and a stroke and how St Andrew’s First Aid is helping people like him. On entering middle-age, and after thorough investigations by my GP into various ailments that had arisen, I discovered that high blood pressure had become my constant companion. With this inherited family trait, I joined the ranks of those susceptible to strokes and heart attacks; the latter having seen off a few relatives over the years. The inevitable round of blood pressure checks began, accompanied by medication and earnest warnings from the medical profession to “lose weight, stop smoking, eat and drink sensibly, and get fit”. I obeyed: I got fit; I even ran a quarter marathon! Sadly though, even with my blood pressure under control and being fitter than I’d been
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for years, I still had a stroke. The classic stroke outcomes of my left arm and leg suffering weakness and diminished function were exacerbated by permanent and severe sight loss. I consider myself to be both unlucky and lucky. Unlucky that, despite my high blood pressure being diagnosed, and a range of interventions in force, I still suffered a stroke. Yet lucky that the outcomes – life-changing though they were – did not match the horrifically severe stroke effects I’ve witnessed in others. And lucky also that my high levels of fitness and health contributed significantly to my limbs’ recovery; a level of fitness that I might not have striven for had it not been for my GP’s advice to “look after myself”.
So, I had a stroke, but lived to tell the tale. However, what of the thousands whose high blood pressure conditions have yet to be diagnosed and intervention programmes implemented? For this I can only say how fortunate we are in having the Stroke Association’s ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ campaign, a campaign which aims to raise awareness of high blood pressure and its link to strokes.
The Stroke Association works in partnership with St Andrew’s First Aid and Rotary International to deliver the ‘Know Your Blood Pressure’ campaign. Our volunteers are at the core of this campaign helping to identify people who may be at risk of having a stroke. Volunteers are trained to take the blood pressure of members of the general public and then give lifestyle advice. Anyone whose blood pressure is found to be unacceptably high will receive advice to visit their GP for follow-up checks. This campaign will save lives, and prevent the devastation of disability caused by strokes.
The Bulletin
N O I T A R E OP BROKEN WING Olympic Homecoming St Andrew’s First Aid volunteers joined forces with the police, fire, ambulance and coastguard crews to carry out a major training exercise on the River Clyde in Glasgow. The test scenario simulated a high-speed collision between a speedboat and a seaplane near the Science Centre, leaving 16 people stranded in the water. First Aiders, police, firefighters, ambulance crews, the coastguard and the Glasgow Port Authority were all involved in exercise Broken Wing. Fire crews used two brand-new boats to steer through choppy waters, burning wreckage and chemicals to bring the casualties to safety. Assistant Chief Officer David Goodhew, the Director of Operations at Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, explained: “Broken Wing deliberately set a nightmare scenario for crews, with numerous casualties in a dangerous environment. Involving hazards like water, fuel, fire and chemicals - as well as casualties suffering impact injuries, burns and drowning - it provided a realistic challenge for everyone involved.
Thousands of people lined the streets of Glasgow for the official homecoming parade for Scotland’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and St Andrew’s First Aid provided First Aid cover at the event. The parade started at Kelvingrove Art Museum and finished at a packed George Square and among the athletes taking part were double cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy. Pictured taking a little time out with Sir Chris Hoy are Brad Christie (right) and Dean Zielinski (left).
FIRST AIDERS PAY RESPECT AT CENOTAPH MARCH PARADE First Aiders Paul Gill, Inverclyde Company, Nikki Bruce, East Kilbride Company, Allan Barton, St Cuthberts Company, Frazer Neil, Edinburgh Thistle Company, Willie Cooper, Inverclyde Company, and William Duffy, Eglinton and District Company, were among the representatives invited to attend the 2012 ceremony and they are pictured below, with their wreath which was laid at the Cenotaph.
“While we hope never to have an incident of this type, exercises like this provide an invaluable opportunity for the emergency services to practice how we would respond. As a result of this exercise, we will be more experienced and better prepared for a serious incident on the River Clyde or any other body of water.”
Issue 10 December 2012
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VOLUNTEER PROFILES Janine Ewen Hi, I’m Janine Ewen, Volunteer Development Officer for the North of Scotland, based in Aberdeen. I come from a background involving; volunteering, acute hospital care, communications, student welfare and volunteering from a young age. I am currently doing an MSc part time in Public Health and have a real passion for pre-hospital care. I have huge interests on how assets can be better used to create a communityfriendly and improved public health service in the UK and beyond. I am also interested in international development and global health, especially indigenous health. I hope to develop a lot of skills while working at St. Andrew’s First Aid, particularly in developing volunteering and improving community resilience. I also look forward to carrying out focus groups and developing research on ways
we can develop in communications and also our St. Andrew’s vehicles. I also want to wish Bob Thomson a happy retirement and thank him for his much needed help when I have been going through my induction stages. In my spare time I enjoy to be sociable with friends, have a nice bottle of Pino G on the weekend, I love to read and I am a sucker for Bill Bryson and his books (highly recommended). I like to keep active and take my dog out for walks when I can. Generally try to maintain a healthy mind and body for long term health. Try and live life to the fullest!
Alison Steven I live in the north east of Scotland and have been involved in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, both as a volunteer and as an employee. I’ve spent the last four and a half years working in the care sector for one of Scotland’s top ten charities, the last five months as a team leader in a care home for adults with learning disabilities. Prior to that I was one of two Trainer/Assessors covering Scotland that delivered core training to support workers and managers. Courses included: food hygiene; medicine administration, health, safety & risk assessment; First Aid. Previous job roles include being a visiting lecturer for a local college, First Aid at work training for companies, First Aid in schools. I spent just under 20 years in various learning and development and volunteer management roles within a major non-governmental organisation, latterly fulfilling short contracts overseas in relation to community capacity building.
I have a passion for motorsport, particularly F1, and have been fortunate to be a volunteer in the medical support teams for the Monaco Grand Prix. I volunteer in my community as a First Responder, and as a steward for the local folk festival. I also play the fiddle (badly, as I don’t have time to practice) and try to go to the gym a couple of times a week so as to be able to eat cheese, drink wine and enjoy going for meals with friends.
St Andrew’s First Aid
St Andrew’s First Aid National Headquarters St. Andrew’s House, 48 Milton Street, Glasgow, G4 0HR Tel: 0141 332 4031 Fax: 0141 332 6582 E: info@firstaid.org.uk www.firstaid.org.uk
St Andrew’s First Aid is the trading name of St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association, a charity registered in Scotland, No. SC006750 Patron: HRH The Princess Royal, Incorporated by Royal Charter 1899.
St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association (St. Andrew’s First A