Recommendation JB-15.17: Police medic training on catastrophic haemorrhage

The MPS has already taken steps to ensure that this learning is cascaded within MO19. On 30 September 2021, Senior First Aid Advisor Sue Warner completed an internal review of current training and use of haemostatic gauze within the MPS. Her review concluded that there is no gap in current training. The current training follows the DCRABC system – Danger, Catastrophic bleeding, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation. Once danger is removed catastrophic bleeding is the first thing to be addressed using direct pressure and either – tourniquet or haemostatic dressings, then the response and airway. Current training addresses the selection of the appropriate equipment and during scenario training the officers are encouraged to continually re assess the casualty and adapt the treatment. The training is clear that haemostatic dressings can be used for wounds on the neck, clavicle and armpit for catastrophic bleeding and that the chest seals are for chest wounds that penetrate through to the lungs and are causing breathing issues. Nonetheless, she recommended that a specific scenario be included in training going forward that addresses a catastrophic bleed from the upper chest/neck area to ensure the officers select the correct equipment and have the opportunity to discuss why a chest seal would not be the right item in these circumstances. Insp. Dan Sterne (MO19) has reviewed subsequent training sessions and confirmed that this scenario is dealt with in the lesson on haemostatic dressing (‘chito-gauze’) as recommended by Sue Warner. 33. The MPS has also consulted with national armed policing as to the appropriate action to be taken in respect of effecting this recommendation into national guidance and training requirements. 34. The Chairman will note that emergency first aid was a major feature of the Manchester Arena Inquiry and a great deal of work has been done in this area by both national armed policing and police forces in response.

The College of Policing publishes and licences the First Aid Learning Programme (FALP) used by police forces. The programme is endorsed by the NPCC and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). FALP is made up of five modules and the learning standards for each module provide the learning required for specific roles within a policing context. This programme allows Chief Constables to make decisions on first aid training, ensuring that officers and staff are giving a suitable standard of first aid to injured people. The FALP Programme Specification sets high level learning objectives and provides detail on what minimum skills should be taught. It is for forces to ensure that the skills taught are relevant to their first aid needs assessment. A working group is currently reviewing the FALP with the objective to re-prioritise those learning outcomes that preserve life. The management of catastrophic bleeding has already been established as a priority. The working group will recognise the burden of any additional training and a reasonable expectation as to a police officer or member of staff can feasibly achieve in their capacity as a first aider.