Bleed control kits in Merseyrail stations 'making the region a safer place'
The kits can help control and prevent blood loss until paramedics arrive
Rolling out bleed kits to all Merseyrail stations is being described as another step forward to making the region a safer place.
They have been installed in 58 Merseyrail stations alongside existing defibrillators, with more than 600 members of staff trained on how to use them.
The kits, produced by KnifeSavers, contain equipment that can control or prevent blood loss until paramedics arrive.
Anti-knife campaigner Laura Hughes is fighting to get these kits in all public places.
She lost her brother Colin McGinty after he was stabbed to death in a case of mistaken identity more in 2001.
Laura gifted specialist kits to Formby and Freshfield stations after getting funding from Formby Parish Council - and now Merseyrail has committed to having them in all of their stations.
Laura said:
"I am delighted that all Merseyrail stations will have a KnifeSavers kit on site.
"Our campaign has two main objectives, the first being to educate people on the dangers of carrying a knife and the second being what to do if you are at the scene of a trauma incident to stop a person from bleeding to death.
"To date we have been able to purchase and install kits across Lancashire, Merseyside and Manchester and we continue to fundraise and apply for funding so that we can continue with this work throughout the North West."
Nikhil Misra, Consultant General and Trauma Surgeon and KnifeSavers founder, said:
"The KnifeSavers bleeding control campaign team are proud to be supporting Merseyrail’s potentially lifesaving innovation of the rollout of bleeding control kits and public access cabinets around their extensive regional transport network.
"Everyone in the region knows Merseyrail, with hundreds of thousands of people using their transport services every year.
"So, to have such a huge organisation taking the lead on providing publicly accessible bleeding control first aid kits is massive for us - and without a doubt will help to make our region safer."
Suzanne Grant, Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy Managing Director for Merseyrail, said:
"It is so important for Merseyrail to be able to support this worthy local charity.
"Whilst our network is safe and levels of crime are low, we do want to support this positive initiative for the benefit of the local community.
"We’re proud to be able to make the financial investment to help protect the people of our region."
Information sessions will also be held at Merseyrail stations to help members of the public understand how to use the kits.