First Aid – A gap in public health strategy

Dates

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - 12:30

Location

The Open University, CMR 01

Emily Oliver, Senior Education Research Manager from the British Red Cross presents: ‘First Aid – A gap in public health strategy’ (open to all).

The British Red Cross promotes first aid education as easy to learn, easy to remember and easy to do. It is based on medical and educational science. Yet research shows increasing numbers of people attending A&E and using GP services for minor ailments and conditions, many of which could be treated at home. Evidence also suggests that people are confused about what constitutes ‘urgent care’ and about the range of services they might access for different conditions. Recent thinking about first aid education broadens its scope away from traditional curricula, aiming to develop learners’ confidence and willingness. Based on a newly developed ‘Chain of Survival Behaviour’ by the International Federation of the Red Cross, it endeavours to emphasise planning and preparing for medical emergencies, thus placing it more firmly within the public health agenda. As a preventative health too, we make the case for first aid in Public Health.