PEOPLE are being urged to back the Emergency First Aid Education Bill ahead of its second reading in Parliament on November 20.
St John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross are leading calls to support the “Every Child a Lifesaver” initiative.
The campaign is aiming to make the teaching of lifesaving skills compulsory in schools.
Hundreds of people across the North West have been contacting their MPs asking them to support the Bill and attend the vote.
Teresa Pearce MP, who tabled the bill, said: “Nobody wants to think of a loved one having an accident or a serious medical emergency. It’s horrible to imagine.
“But there is something worse. Having to watch a loved one in trouble and not being able to do anything to help. I want us to make every child a lifesaver.
“What the Bill aims to do is simple, straightforward and common-sense.
“It aims to make the next generation confident to leap into action and try and save a life rather than simply being bystanders. Making the teaching of vital lifesaving skills in school is a no brainer.
“It’s supported by major charities, by medical professionals, by parents and by teachers.
“And it’s time it was part of every child’s education, to give people the absolute best chance of surviving emergency situations.”
Research developed by the charities shows:
- 85% of adults agree that first aid should be a compulsory part of the national curriculum
- 84% of secondary school teachers agree that first aid should be taught on the school curriculum
- 95% of parents agree that first aid should be taught at secondary school
- 97% of 11-16 year olds agree they should be taught first aid, saying it should definitely or probably be taught at secondary school.
However 57% of teachers say they believe it would take first aid training to be a requirement in order for more schools to take it seriously as only 24% of schools currently teach it.
Members of the public have just over a week to call on their MP to vote in support of the Bill by going to everychildalifesaver.org/action
