Unicef baby care award
Pupils at all 17 secondary schools in South Lanarkshire will receive training in CPR.
Currently, only 10 schools in the county offer the training as part of an initiative in partnership with the British Heart Foundation.
However, on Tuesday, February 19, the council’s education resources committee were given a “firm commitment” that the scheme would be rolled out to all secondary schools.
Conservative councillor Mark Mcgeever (Hamilton West and Earnock) had asked: “This isn’t a criticism, but is there any reason seven of the 17 schools couldn’t offer training this session?
“I’m looking for a firm commitment that training will be offered in 2019/20.”
South Lanarkshire’s three additional support needs schools are also already engaging with the BHF by delivering either Heartstart training or making use of Call, Push, Rescue training kits.
Following the report, Councillor Margaret Cooper (Avondale and Stonehouse) of the Independent Group suggested: “Would it be a worthwhile extension in future to train pupils in the use of defibrillators? A lot of communities have successfully funded defibrillators.”
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Education Resources Committee, Councillor Katy Loudon, added: “I’m delighted that our pupils will have the opportunity to take part in training which could save lives.
“Figures released by the BHF last year suggest that as many as a third of adults are not likely to perform CPR if they saw someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
“By giving our pupils the chance to learn these skills we are hopeful that this number will fall in the future.
“It also provides an opportunity to develop awareness and skills in young people relating to health and well being in a very practical way, and in a way that might save lives at some point in the future.”
Arrangements will be made by schools to inform their parent councils, along with parents and families, on the planned introduction of the training. Health visiting services in Lanarkshire have once again been awarded the prestigious‘baby Friendly Award’from Unicef.
The international honour is given to services that display best standard practices to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships.
And Unicef commended staff for their work to maintain their standards.
Anne Armstrong, divisional nurse director, said:“we are extremely proud that NHS Lanarkshire has been re-accredited as baby friendly. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of healthcare staff across Lanarkshire.
“The assessment included interviews with 21 members of staff and 44 new mums. All of the mums who were interviewed as part of the assessment said that they were very happy with the care that they received.
“The assessment team were impressed by the mother-centred way staff discussed close and loving relationships.”
The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by Unicef and the World Health Organisation, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies.
Anne Marie Bruce, infant feeding development midwife, added:“the team was also highly commented for arranging the 2018 Breastfeeding Summit, which engaged all staff groups to explore what can be implemented to increase breastfeeding rates throughout Lanarkshire.”
Mums can find their nearest breastfeeding support group at: www. feedgoodfactor.org.uk.