INVERCLYDE is the first council area in Scotland to team up with a national charity to introduce lifesaving equipment for first responders.

The local authority has purchased ‘control the bleed kits’ via The Daniel Baird Foundation – making it the first council in the country to do so.

Kits will be carried by the council’s community wardens service but will also be available for emergency services while they are also out on duty.

They contain essential medical supplies designed to reduce blood loss and can save lives in the vital minutes before medical attention arrives.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of education and communities, said: “We really hope these kits never have to be used but they are there as an additional tool in those vital first few minutes when someone is severely bleeding for whatever reason and often through no fault of their own.

“I’m proud that the council is leading the way in Scotland by teaming up with The Daniel Baird Foundation to introduce these lifesaving resources in Inverclyde.

“A kit doesn’t cost a lot of money and could be priceless if it helps save someone’s life. If even one life is saved thanks to these kits then they are worth it.”

The idea was first mooted by Councillor Graeme Brooks whose motion at a meeting was unanimously backed by fellow elected members.

Cllr Brooks said: “This is an important first step in making control the bleed kits more accessible in Inverclyde but also to encourage other businesses and organisations to follow the council’s example and source their own kit.

“If we can get as many publicly accessible venues to house these kits as possible, the public will know there is one nearby available to help someone in need.

“Heroes often come in the form of someone who happens to be on the scene.

"A member of the public with access to a kit can be that person who saves a life and prevents a preventable tragedy.

"Someone can bleed to death in less time than an ambulance takes to get to them so these kits are a true life-saver.”

The council has purchased 10 kits at a cost of around £1,000 via the foundation, with £5 from the sale of each one donated to the charity.

The project has been endorsed by local emergency services.

Sergeant Derek Bradley, of Greenock police, said: “Having a resource like this available to the public could prove the difference between life and death in a catastrophic bleed incident before emergency services arrive at the scene."

David McCarrey, area commander for the fire and rescue service in Inverclyde, said: “The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service are delighted to support our partners in Inverclyde Council with the control the bleed kit initiative.

“These kits, supported by wider public safety messaging, will provide members of the public, partners and first responders with vital equipment to control bleeding at a very early stage and will contribute to saving lives across Inverclyde.”

The Daniel Baird Foundation was set up by Lynne Baird in memory of her late son, 26, who died after suffering a catastrophic bleed in 2017.

Lynne, who was awarded an MBE earlier this year for her campaign work, said: “I hope the other Scottish councils will follow Inverclyde’s example.”

*For information on how to purchase kits, visit www.controlthebleed.org.uk