Why We're So Passionate About This: You Need Emergency First Aid Skills
In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has long been the symbol of healthcare excellence. It is the institution we turn to when we or our loved ones are in dire need of medical attention – and we're incredibly lucky to have this wonderful service.
In recent years, the NHS has sadly been facing increasing challenges that has caused unjustly obstacles – one of which is ambulance delays.
This issue not only places additional strain on an already overstretched healthcare system – it also highlights the importance of having emergency first aid skills.
The Reality of Ambulance Delays
Statistics paint a worrying picture of ambulance delays in the UK. According to NHS England, ambulance response times have been deteriorating over the years. In 2019-2020, only 68.6% of immediately life-threatening calls received a response within the recommended eight-minute target. Ambulance response times rose again in 2022, with the average response to a Category 2 call (e.g., suspected heart attacks and strokes) at over 1 hour 30 minutes in December compared with a target of 18 minutes.
Performance has subsequently improved but waiting times for category 1 & 2 calls remain outside the target of 7 minutes and 18 minutes respectively.
This means that a significant portion of patients with life-threatening conditions had to wait longer for the emergency medical help they desperately needed.
The NHS is under incredible strain, and our amazing nurses, doctors, paramedics, and everyone else on the front-line face extreme pressure every day. We support and salute all the hard work they do. The increase in demand for ambulance services, traffic congestion, budgetary issues not only put patients' lives at risk but also place immense pressure on the NHS.
You Could Save a Life
In times of crisis, every second counts. While we rely on emergency services like ambulances to provide professional medical care, having basic emergency first aid skills could literally be the difference between life and death.
Promoting Life and the 3 Ps: In emergency response, the "3 Ps" are often mentioned: Preserve life, Prevent worsening, and Promote recovery. Emergency first aid skills align perfectly with these principles, as they empower individuals to act effectively in crisis situations, ensuring the best possible outcome for the casualty.
Preventing Worsening: First aid skills enable you to stabilise a casualty's condition until professional help arrives. By preventing injuries from worsening, you can significantly improve a person's chances of recovery.
Immediate Care Saves Lives: When a medical emergency occurs, the first few minutes are critical. Knowing how to perform basic first aid techniques, such as CPR, stopping severe bleeding, or providing support for someone in shock, can make a life-saving difference. In cases like cardiac arrest, initiating CPR promptly can double or triple the chances of survival.
Ambulance delays in the UK are a concerning issue that underscores the challenges the NHS faces. To support our healthcare system and give casualties the best possible chance of survival and recovery, acquiring basic emergency first aid skills is essential. These skills can bridge the gap between a medical emergency and the arrival of professional help, potentially saving lives and minimizing the impact of injuries.
At LifePlus Training, we believe in equipping people with the life-saving skills and confidence to be prepared and equipped to act swiftly during critical situations, promoting the values of preserving life and preventing worsening – two of the 3 Ps that define effective emergency response.
If you'd like to find out more on our courses and workshops in emergency first aid, paediatric first aid and mental health first aid, visit lifeplustraining.com or DM us on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @LifePlusTraining
