Introduction
First aid refers to basic medical emergency care and treatment to assist in minimizing the consequences of more serious injury or illness until medical health assistance is available.
First aid training is a mandatory requirement of The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. It is important that managers look at the first aid training course for staff to ensure that it meets with CQC Fundamental Standards of quality and safety.
Training
Managers must be on the ball as staff will need to attend first aid training every 3 years. You will also need suitable numbers of staff qualified in first aid in proportion to the significance of health and safety risks of your service.
It is the manager’s responsibility to arrange training that equips staff with the skills to deal with situations that might require first aid treatment. As part of the training, your staff should be equipped to give first aid to people with specific medical requirements also.
It’s good practice to have a first aid trainer if possible to support, deliver and assist in coordinating staff with their first aid training.
When staff are initially employed, first aid principals should be covered as part of their induction.
The service must keep a record of all staff that have received first aid training and a schedule of planned training for staff first aid. The CQC or Local Authority Contracts Visitor may ask to see training records to ensure you are meeting regulatory requirements.
Delivering First Aid
Staff should have read and understood the services first aid policy and:
When staff are giving care, a first aid box should be available so that staff can have access to use the right equipment in the treatment of injuries.
Both staff and service users can suffer injuries or be taken ill. Both must be given immediate attention. In serious cases, an ambulance must be called. Arrangements should be made to make sure this happens.
This can save lives and prevent a minor crisis becoming a major crisis or even save lives.
As part of the Accident Incident Near miss procedure, staff should understand their responsibilities in relation to the managing and reporting of an accident, an incident or a near miss.
The manager should examine the services first aid policy annually for its ongoing suitability.
Summary
Managers need to manage all aspects of first aid training which will equip staff with the
skills to give a rapid first response in the event of an accident, injury or illness.
Skilled staff who are first aiders are a valuable asset as they will be equipped to manage incidents that occur with service users and other staff members and ensure that beyond their first aid response, will request the assistance of other medical professionals to give further treatment and care in an emergency.
Stuart Cook
Company Director
Bettal Quality Consultancy
