Cambridgeshire learner drivers could be taught CPR under new plans
The move is part of plans to tackle inequalities in resuscitation
Last updated 25th Apr 2024
A CPR trainer in Cambridgeshire has said teaching resuscitation while learning to drive is much needed.
The Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) is recommending the plans to Parliament today to address inequalities around resuscitation for people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
In its report, including other UK-wide research on the inequalities in resuscitation, RCUK found disparities in the number of defibrillators and access to CPR training to people from these backgrounds.
"It's something we really need"
Deborah Slator has been training first aid for more than three decades:
"I think it's an excellent idea, it's been carried out in Europe for many years now which gives them a basic understanding of CPR and basic first aid skills, and it's something we really do need in the UK," she said.
"It's making people aware at that stage; if we can do that at several stages throughout somebody's life, it's helping them remember what they need to do in an emergency."
What did the report find?
More than half of areas where people from ethnic minority backgrounds live have no defibrillators compared to 31% of areas where mostly white British people live, according to the report.
It also found 22% of these people received CPR training in the last 10 years, with 6 in 10 saying they lacked the knowledge and skills to perform the lifesaving skill.
The study also highlighted that 7 in 10 people from ethnic minority backgrounds didn’t know where their nearest defib was, in contrast to the wider UK population where 6 in 10 did know.
One of the recommendations made in the report is that the UK should join other European countries in teaching CPR training through their driving test.
This is so people who are less likely to receive training in the workplace – such as manual workers - are guaranteed lifesaving skills via an alternative route, the report said.
"We're not making people aware there are defibs"
"We're not making these people aware that there are defibs and actually they are the ones that can make a difference (to people's lives)," she added.
"They need to be outside community centres, churches, areas like these and once they're out, as soon as people walk into these buildings, they'll think 'what's that on the wall?' and will start to take an interest."
Last year, the government ensured all eligible primary, secondary, special and alternate provision schools in England who did not already have a defibrillator on site had one of these devices as part of a £19 million rollout.
A government spokesperson said: “Quick access to a defibrillator can be lifesaving when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, and we are committed to increasing the number of defibrillators in public areas.
“In September 2023 we launched a £1 million fund to provide new defibrillators in community spaces across England, and this has delivered over 1,900 life-saving devices to date.
“Cardiac arrests disproportionately affect those from the poorest communities, and priority for applications to the fund is given to those areas with the greatest need.”