Every city centre hotel and dozens of licensed venues in Manchester are to be provided with emergency trauma kits, ensuring that everyone has the ability to be a lifesaver.
This scheme, arranged by Manchester City Council in partnership with CityCo and Steroplast is aimed at addressing the ‘care gap’, identified during the recent Manchester Arena Inquiry.
This is the period of time during a major incident – such as a terror attack or when people have been seriously injured – to medical professionals arriving on scene to provide emergency care.
To help prevent the tragic loss of life in the future 100 PAcT (Public Access Trauma) Kits have been purchased by the Council and will be distributed to ensure every part of the city has coverage. A further 77 kits are also being rolled out across all city centre hotels within the Accommodation BID.
This would allow first responders, emergency services, hospitality staff or even members of the public access to the equipment that could save a person who has suffered potentially fatal injuries as the result of a terror attack.
This work comes after the recent King’s Speech, where the Government made a commitment to enacting legislation to make it mandatory for venues to have counter-terror laws in place. In Manchester, these principles have already been put into action under ‘Martyn’s Law’, ensuring that venues have the tools at their disposal to keep people safe.
At a launch event being held on Wednesday 31st July, at 11am, the Council and CityCo will hand over the kits to the venues who will then receive specialist training by Steroplast on how to use and store the kits.
We are also grateful to be joined by the inspirational Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who has been the driving forces behind national legislative change to improve counter-terror resilience.
While it is hoped that these kits never have to be used, the Council is entirely committed to improving and strengthening resilience across the city, preventing any unnecessary loss of life.
These kits include the basic, yet vital equipment needed to care for injured people in an emergency. This includes protective equipment, trauma dressings, tourniquets and bandages. Instructions will also be included so that anyone, no matter their training, could be able to save a life.
Engagement carried out alongside CityCo found that within the industry there was support for this scheme, with an initial 100 venues volunteering for the first phase of its roll out.
Alongside city centre venues opportunities have been identified for subsequent phases of the scheme including licensed venues in district centres as well as other types of venues in which it would provide a community benefit.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “Any loss of life is a tragedy. This is why we are taking proactive steps to ensure that no one in Manchester dies because help may be too far away. We know that a small number of licensed premises already have these kits in place which we entirely commend, but we want to provide greater coverage throughout the city in venues that are more likely to be open all hours of the day.
“What we are doing here is bridging the gap between emergency response and the initial incident. We cannot replicate the incredible skill of our paramedics and first responders, but we can empower people by providing the skills to turn them into everyday lifesavers.
“As a result of the Arena Attack lessons have been learned on how we can respond following a terrorist incident and the Council has always been at the forefront of calling for legislative change, not just locally, but nationally.
“We were incredibly pleased to see that in the recent King’s Speech the Government set out its plans to bring forward legislation on Martyn’s Law, setting out legislation on how venues across the country can improve their counter-terror resilience.
“In an ideal world these trauma kits will never be used, but by ensuring that they can be found throughout the city we will empower anyone with the skills to save a life.”
Kumar Mishra, Chair of the Manchester Accommodation BID, said: "The Manchester Accommodation BID is proud to support this vital initiative. While our work often focuses on visible improvements like marketing, events, and city welcome, we are equally committed to supporting projects that enhance safety and security across the city. These include the Business Crime Reduction Partnership and training support for front desk staff on a range of issues, from antisocial behaviour to homelessness.
“Funding these emergency trauma kits for accommodation providers not only demonstrates the Accommodation BID's broader value to levy payers but also reinforces the hospitality industry's critical role in strengthening the city's resilience.”