Taking the pain out of first aid training

Employers who fail to provide adequate first aid cover in the workplace could face prosecution in the event of a serious injury or fatality.

Now St John Ambulance is encouraging businesses and other organisations in the region to make use of its in-company first aid training courses to ensure they meet their legal obligations.

By law, most organisations must provide first aid cover. But research from the leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance, shows that 79% of businesses in the south east have periods when there are no first aiders on the premises.

Training which is tailored to your needs

The cost-effective and convenient in-company courses take place on the client’s premises which cuts travels costs, saves staff time and allows employees to learn in a familiar environment.

More than 24,200 people in the south east received St John Ambulance in-company training last year.

Ralph Brown, regional training manager for St John Ambulance in the south east, said: ‘Many organisations don’t get round to providing first aid training for their staff because it just seems too difficult and costly to organise days away from the workplace.

‘Our in-company courses are extremely flexible and can be tailored to meet an organisation’s particular needs at times to suit the client, including evenings and weekends.’

St John Ambulance is the nation’s leading supplier of first aid and health and safety training and offers a range of commercial courses - from emergency first aid in the workplace to training in the use of a defibrillator for heart attack victims, most of which can be delivered in the workplace as well as in a training centre.

The charity’s highly qualified team of professional trainers works with a wide range of organisations from schools and universities to local authorities and large high risk industries.

Ralph added: ‘Employers have a legal responsibility to provide first aid training but more importantly we’re talking about giving staff vital skills which could mean they’re the difference between a life lost and a life saved when faced with an emergency in the workplace.

‘Many companies choose to use our services because we’re a charity and all our all profits, after we’ve covered our costs, are ploughed into supporting local communities with first aid training, first aid cover at public events and other important activities.’

Companies only need to have eight or more people in need of training to request that St John Ambulance comes to them. Those with fewer people can visit one of the organisation’s 57 training centres around the region.

For details of the courses on offer and to book training call 0844 324 5535.