Emergency bleed control kits rolled out in Forest towns

The project was made possible thanks to the Community Safety Partnership and funded from the proceeds of a successful prosecution carried out by the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit and Forest of Dean District Council. 

Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities, Cllr Jackie Dale said:

"This is an important initiative which will ensure our communities are equipped and feel able to respond in medical emergencies. We are grateful to our partners at the town councils for their support in making the Forest of Dean a safer place for everyone. 

“The minutes following a traumatic injury are critical and having these bleed control kits available could help save a life and prevent a tragedy. Although we hope that these kits will never be needed, it is important and reassuring to know they are there if required." 

The kits are designed to provide immediate aid in cases of severe bleeding from traumatic injuries, such as those resulting from assaults, falls, or road traffic collisions, before emergency services arrive.   

Along with defibrillators, the emergency bleed kits are accessible and available 24/7. All bleed kits are registered with the Ambulance Trust and should a member of the public need either a bleed kit or a defibrillator, the code will be provided when calling 999.   

Chair of Cinderford Town Council, Cllr Graham Morgan said:

“In a time where knife crime seems to always be taking place somewhere across the Country, the easy access to these sorts of kits is an absolute must in all Town Centres where the public gather. As a Town Council in Cinderford we fully support such measures.” 

Nick Penny, Mayor of Coleford Town Council commented:

“We are delighted to see the extension of the bleed control kit scheme across the district. Following concerns raised by young people, and in conjunction with the Forest of Dean Youth Association we installed one outside our offices in response. It is now reassuring to know that these potentially lifesaving kits will have a greater reach across our communities.” 

The Forest of Dean District Council offices in Coleford will also house both the defibrillator and the new emergency bleed kit. 

Tasha Saunders, Mayor of Lydney Town Council added: 

"Thank you to the Forest of Dean Community Safety Partnership for providing Lydney with seven bleed kits. We’re incredibly grateful for their support.

"These kits will be placed in key locations around the town, near some of our existing defibrillators. It’s heart-breaking that such resources are necessary, but if even one kit helps save a life, it will have been worth it. We're proud to have them as part of our commitment to protecting our community."

Mayor of Newent Town Council, Sara Hulbert said:

"Newent Town Council is incredibly grateful to the Forest of Dean Community Safety Partnership for providing these life-saving bleed kits.

"The kits will be placed in key locations around the town, offering emergency support when every second counts. This is a vital step in making our community safer, and we’re proud to be working together to help protect lives."

Details for each location will be updated on both the Forest of Dean District Council website and the national register once locations are finalised and kits installed. 

Once installed, each location will display a window sticker to indicate the presence of a bleed kit, helping members of the public to quickly identify where emergency support is available. 

Further information on the Community Safety Partnership can be found here: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/communities-health-and-leisure/community-safety/community-safety-partnership/ 

Information on emergency bleed kits, including locations and details on how they can be used can be found here: https://www.heartsafe.org.uk/bleed-kit-homepage/