MPs ‘can save lives’
MPs can help save thousands of lives by backing life-saving skills training in schools, according to the British Red Cross.
They are being urged by Lib Dem MP Sir Bob Russell to back a
British Red Cross' campaign to get life-saving skills on the curriculum.
126 MPs have signed an early day motion (EDM) urging the Government to make first aid studies mandatory in the classroom.
“Alongside the important saving of lives, first-aid training would also reduce visits to overstretched accident and emergency departments by people whose injuries did not warrant hospital attention,” Sir Bob said.
“Likewise, it would reduce visits to doctors' surgeries if people with first aid skills could more easily deal with such minor matters at home; or at their place of work. I urge my fellow MPs and members of the public to back this worthy campaign by the British Red Cross.”
The British Red Cross said the Government has failed to include any mention of first aid education in the draft plans for the new schools curriculum and only 20% of secondary school students in England and Wales say they have learned life-saving skills in the classroom.
The government's public consultation review on the national curriculum closes on 16th April.
More than 10,000 people have already signed the Pupil, Citizen, Life-saver e-campaign urging their MP to take action.
