Standards

Staff

In our organisation it is the members who are the most important feature, as it is through them that we will deliver high standards of customer service. In the first instance this means we must have a robust recruitment process that includes background checks, medical checks and enhanced criminal record checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Once members join they are given induction training on subjects such as health & safety, safeguarding (child & vulnerable adult protection) and an insight into our policies and procedures. All members wishing to become uniformed first aiders will attend our Apprentice level training where they will learn basic life support, moving and handling skills and how to manage administration issues. They will then move on to our First Aider level training which will include First Aid at Work training & assessment. This training though on its own is not sufficient in our view to provide first aid at events and so additional modules on defibrillation, paediatric first aid, event first aid and use of handling equipment will have to be completed before the member becomes a First Aider. Once qualified the member can attend events, where they will work under the supervision of more experienced staff until they have gained experience and confidence. After a period of time members can move up to become an Advanced First Aider. This will involve training to use medical gases, resuscitation, aspiration and immobilisation equipment. We provide weekly training for our members with additional weekend training and annual assessment to ensure we can provide the best possible care to patients.

The vast majority of our members joined the organisation having already been involved in the NHS, private or voluntary healthcare & first aid sectors. They have brought with them a great wealth of knowledge and experience that allows us to deliver high quality care and support our new members, so they too can develop into highly proficient first aiders.

Training

We pride ourselves on the standard of our training team which comprises of doctors, paramedics and experienced first aid trainers and we deliver quality training both in-house to our own members and also to the public through our community and workplace courses. To ensure our teaching is current, delivered in line with best practice and producing competent first aiders we have an in-house quality assurance team holding the required level 4 qualifications.

Equipment and Resources

We are continuously developing our stock of equipment and resources. We purchased a new £60,000 Mobile Treatment Unit in 2020 to replace an earlier Unit and to operate alongside our other Mobile Treatment Unit purchased in 2017. We have towable Treatment Units and in 2022 will build and open our new £100,000 First Aid Treatment Centre on Newark Showground. We are replacing two defibrillators in spring 2022 as part of our ongoing policy to maintain our equipment in best order. We hold stocks of resuscitation, immobilisation, aspiration, and monitoring equipment plus a range of moving and handling equipment. We monitor, maintain and service our equipment so that all events are well resourced.

Insurances

We hold employer, public, professional indemnity and medical malpractice insurance covering all of our operational activities.