Bleed control kits have been donated and installed at Greater Anglia train stations across Hertfordshire thanks to the work of the Hearts for Herts charity.
In the presence of the MP for Broxbourne, Lewis Cocking, and the Mayor of Broxbourne, Councillor Sherrie McDaid, the charity Hearts for Herts donated nine bleed control kits to Greater Anglia stations at a special unveiling on Thursday 7 November.
The kits are designed for use on any extreme bleeding likely to cause death within minutes if not treated. They contain a tourniquet to restrict blood flow, haemostatic gauze that helps stop bleeding rapidly, a trauma dressing, gloves, and a chest seal.
They have already been installed at Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Hertford East, Rye House, St Margarets, Waltham Cross, and Ware stations.
Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth stations are also scheduled to have bleed control kits installed in due course.
At each station, the bleed control kit is stored in a secure locked cabinet that already contains an automatic external defibrillator.
Each location is registered with East of England Ambulance Service control staff, who can quickly direct a 999 caller to the nearest kit by phone and give them the code. This helps any member of the public or staff give vital treatment before paramedics arrive.
The kits are already in schools, fire stations, community centres, libraries, businesses, and faith buildings across the county.
Georgia Payne, Greater Anglia’s Safeguarding and Community Safety Manager, said: “The new bleed control kits at a number of our stations across Hertfordshire add to the many already found in various venues around towns in the county.
“It will be vital in an emergency, where any time saved could help save a life.
“We are the first train company that serves Hertfordshire to have these installed and are grateful to Hearts for Herts charity for providing us with the kits.”
Lewis Cocking, MP for Broxbourne, commented: “I’m grateful that this essential equipment is now in place at train stations used by thousands of local residents every day. Combined with the defibrillators already in place, the new kits will help save even more lives in an emergency.
“I commend the dedication of Hearts for Herts, a brilliant local charity, and thank Greater Anglia for their support.”
The Hearts for Herts charity provides training, education, and lifesaving equipment across the county. It also runs a free Heartstart Lifesaver Programme training to anyone who lives in the county.
Justin Honey-Jones, who is a paramedic and the chair of Hearts for Herts charity, said: “Public access bleed control kits save lives, where seconds in an emergency are vital.
“We are rolling out over 300 lifesaving kits across the county and we are so pleased that these kits are at the very busy Greater Anglia stations across Hertfordshire, where they are easily publicly accessible, but hopefully will never need to be used.”
Image credit:
