'Bleed kit' medical cabinets installed in town
BBCThree new medical cabinets filled with equipment to help a person who is injured and bleeding have been put up in a town.
The 'bleed kits' have been installed next to existing defibrillators at The Turk's Head and Rosie's Tavern in Bondgate in Darlington, and by the town's clock tower.
Durham Constabulary said the trauma cabinets provided pressure bandages, tourniquets and gloves to help control severe bleeding after incidents such as a fall or a road accident.
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Joy Allen said "serious violence was a rare occurrence" but the kits would enable people to help with traumatic injuries immediately.
The force would provide the access code to the nearest cabinet in an emergency, it said.
Mrs Allen said: "It's important to remember that serious violence is in fact a rare occurrence and that Darlington is actually a safe place to live, work and visit.
"Evidence shows that the minutes following an injury, prior to paramedics arriving at the scene, are critical and so I have no doubt these kits will potentially save lives."
DURHAM POLICEDurham Police Insp Matt Plumb said the early stages of a violent incident or medical episode were "often the most important in terms of delivering life-saving medical care".
The kits were provided by the Daniel Baird Foundation, which was founded by Dr Lynne Baird after her son was stabbed to death in 2017.
Dr Baird said she had recently seen "a number of copy-cat" bleed kits but people in Darlington would have access to medical equipment approved by the ambulance service.
The initiative has been funded by the PCC, and Darlington Council said it would maintain and restock the cabinets.