By Harry Mottram: Persistent campaigning for bleed kits by the south Bath Bloomfield Bath Residents’ Association (BBRA) has paid off with the kits installed on Bloomfield Road in the city. Julie Ingerfield of the association said: “The BBRA would like to thank Cllrs. Alison Born and Stuart Bridge (Widcombe & Lyncombe) and Cllr. Jess Davis (Moorlands) (all pictured above) for their contributions to the program. Special thanks to former Cllr. Deborah Collins who also endorsed this program. The exact location for each device was determined with the assistance of George Bottin. Principal Engineer, Highway Maintenance and PC Daniel Moulden, Public Access Bleed Kit Coordinator for the Avon & Somerset Police, tied up ay loose ends.”
Julie said that travellers along a section of Bloomfield Road will notice the ‘addition of shiny red boxes installed on street poles dotted along the road.’ She explained: “These are Bleed Kits which, in an emergency, can make the difference between life and death. Following a serious accident or injury it can take as little as 4 minutes of active bleeding before death occurs.
“Bleed Kits have been proven to save lives. Injuries from auto and cycling accidents, DIY and home improvements, gardening accidents and incidents involving bladed instruments can happen in any community. The Bloomfield Bath Residents’ Association, with their interest in community safety, mounted a campaign to raise funds for the purchase of three units. Uniquely in Bath, the BBRA crosses three Wards. Applications were made to the Ward Councillors Empowerment Funds; 2 were successful. The third kit and the mounting straps were funded by a donation.”
Julie added: “The three new units are in addition to existing units at St. Luke’s, the Odd Down Sports Ground and Lenny’s Laundrette at Noad’s Corner. Local residents are advised to familiarise themselves with the position of their closest unit. In an emergency the first port of call is ringing 999. The operator will advise the location of the closest Bleed Kit and provide step by step instructions. Simple instructions may also be found on the Useful Information page of the BBRA website: bloomfieldbathresidents.org. Once a kit has been purchased, the installation, maintenance and replacement is provided by the Avon & Somerset Police Bleed Kit Partnership through a legacy fund. The units are registered and then entered onto the Bleed Kit Location Map which is accessible to the NHS as well as the public. The NHS Southwest Ambulance Service also endorses the program.”
David Boardman, Senior Road Safety Engineer said: “Bath and North East Somerset Traffic Management & Network Team are delighted to support bleed kits being introduced on the Highway by the Bloomfield Residents Association. This great initiative will provide the specialised emergency equipment to help stem blood loss following traumatic events such as road traffic collisions. The presence of bleed kit may provide life saving emergency care and lessen the severity of injuries sustained and aligns with the Council’s goals of reducing fatal and serious injuries on the highway.”
On behalf of her fellow Ward Councillors Jess David said: “Bleed kits can save lives, and we are very happy to support this BRRA initiative, in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police, to make these available on Bloomfield Road.”
William Ayliffe of the Avon & Somerset Police Bleed Kit Partnership said: “We are thankful to the Bloomfield Residents Association for their efforts campaigning and working with local councillors to get these kits installed. This is a great example of local people coming together, showing pride in their community, and achieving a positive result that benefits all.
“While often associated with serious violence, these community bleed kits are critical, potentially life-saving pieces of equipment that can be used at road traffic collisions, industrial accidents, and more. Having them accessible on key travel routes like this will help make this community safer and prevent tragedy.
For more information on our Bleed Kit Partnership visit our website: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/apply/bleed-kits/
Alternatively, for further information on bleed kits in BANES specifically, contact PCSO Will AYLIFFE via email at 8731@avonandsomerset.police.uk
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