Life-saving bleed kits installed across Cornwall

Julia Gregory
BBC News
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust A police officer dressed in a black T-shirt with police epaulettes on the shoulder stands beside an ambulance worker dressed in his dark green uniform, with a red bleed kit between them. It has writing with instructions on it but it is not clear to read in this photo, beyond advice to call 999.South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Ch Insp Mike Vass from Avon and Somerset Police and paramedic Craig Wilkins say the bleed kits could be essential to save lives

Life-saving kits which can be used in any incident involving severe bleeding have been placed across Cornwall.

Ten sets of equipment are now in locations including Truro, Launceston and Bude with each able to be tracked on an online map and used during an emergency.

The kits, installed by the Avon and Somerset Bleed Kit Partnership and Heartsafe UK, contain emergency medical equipment which helps stop or slow blood loss.

The partnership said more than 500 bleed kits had now been placed in the South West and it planned to install more sets during 2025.

'Critical interventions'

Bleed kits are designed to be used in any incident involving severe bleeding such as car crashes, agricultural accidents and sporting injuries, the partnership said.

Each kit contains equipment including a trauma wound dressing and tourniquet aimed at preventing a patient's condition from deteriorating.

The partnership added 999 call handlers could direct people to the nearest bleed kit to them and give instructions on how to use it.

Craig Wilkins, a specialist critical care paramedic with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said the bleed kits could make a "big difference" in an emergency.

"This coordinated approach ensures that critical interventions can begin as soon as possible, improving patient outcomes in those crucial moments," he said.

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