Covid-19 related information – last updated 24th February 2022
Following the recent changes to Covid guidelines and future roadmap from the government, we wanted to clarify what you can expect from us when you attend one of our training courses. Though no longer mandatory, we have kept many of our measures in place to ensure you feel comfortable and safe when you train with us, and we will continue to monitor and update you in the coming months.
Measures we have kept in place…
- Delegates are positioned in the training room to have a 1m plus distance between each other, and plenty of space around for when delegates use our manikins on first aid courses.
- We have strict standards of handwashing for all delegates and trainers.
- We maintain rigorous cleaning protocols in venues and for all equipment.
- Though no longer mandatory for all, you are very welcome to wear a mask in the training room or when moving around the building.
- Shared manikins will be kept to the same small group of delegates. Delegates will be instructed to clean the manikin after their use. They will also be instructed to sanitise their hands prior to using the manikins and any other course resources.
- A ‘double fail-safe’ level of protection will be in place to prevent the possibility of cross-contamination from rescue breaths. Combinations include: a) 1:1 manikin ratio b) Shared manikins – each delegate will be issued with 1 Adult, 1 Child, 1 Baby lung to be able to perform rescue breaths on assessment points only, and 70% alcohol wipes to be used after each delegate use. This means delegates can safely practice rescue breaths because we will change the lungs of the manikins after each person has demonstrated rescue breaths.
- We have additional props for delegates to use so they do not need to work with other delegates during practical activities.
- We have made changes to the course content to include additional video demonstrations to ensure delegates still leave their course feeling confident as well as competent.
- If we are coming to you to train, we will discuss your risk assessment with you and ensure all points are adhered to.
If you have any questions before your course, please get in touch with one of our friendly team who will be able to help, 0330 335 1234.
You can see all our previous Covid measures below…
We have implemented oodles of measures to help keep you, your team and our team safe…
First Aid training is essential and we are ready to support your training needs.
We are following Government guidelines, as well as industry standards from the Resuscitation Council UK and Health & Safety Executives (HSE).
Our aim is to keep our relaxed, friendly, and fun elements to our training courses alongside strong risk management procedures, to keep you and our staff as safe as possible.
What’s changed?
It’s inevitable that our courses had to adapt to reduce the spread of the virus, here’s how our training will be a little different:
- Delegates are positioned in the training room to have a 1m plus distance between each other, and plenty of space around for when delegates use our manikins.
- We have strict standards of handwashing for all delegates and trainers.
- We recommend that both trainers and delegates wear face coverings when entering our training venues and moving around the building.
- We still come to you for group courses, we just need to chat to you first about your covid-19 risk assessment.
- We maintain rigorous cleaning protocols in venues and for all equipment
- Shared manikins will be kept to the same small group of delegates. Delegates will be instructed to clean the manikin after their use. They will also be instructed to sanitise their hands prior to using the manikins and any other course resources.
- A ‘double fail-safe’ level of protection will be in place to prevent the possibility of cross-contamination from rescue breaths. Combinations include: a) 1:1 manikin ratio b) Shared manikins – each delegate will be issued with 1 Adult, 1 Child, 1 Baby lung to be able to perform rescue breaths on assessment points only, and 70% alcohol wipes to be used after each delegate use. This means delegates can safely practice rescue breaths because we will change the lungs of the manikins after each person has demonstrated rescue breaths.
- We have additional props for delegates to use so they do not need to work with other delegates during practical activities.
- We still aim for our courses to be fun and have made them as interactive as possible.
- We have made changes to the course content to include additional video demonstrations to ensure delegates still leave their course feeling confident as well as competent.
- All delegates who show symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been asked to self-isolate due to NHS track and trace etc. must not attend the course.
- We will continue with Track and Trace for the safety of our trainers and delegates.
Need to see our Covid-19 Risk Assessments?
- For all our customers who have booked a group training session at your own place or at your own hired venue, see our risk assessment here
- For our customers who have booked on an open course at our Desford, Leicestershire Training centre, see our risk assessment here
- For our customers who have booked on an open course at our Northampton training centre, see our risk assessment here
If you’re unsure about what to expect on one of our courses, hear from some of our delegates who recently attended a First Aid course: What To Expect On Your Training Course During The COVID-19 Pandemic:
HSE Guidelines for First Aid (updated 15 January 2021)
The policy position of the HSE is that first aid training required to comply with health and safety or other legislation can continue to take place under relevant coronavirus restrictions in England. (15th January 2021) First aid remains a legal responsibility for businesses and organisations.
As an employer, when reviewing your risk assessment to include Covid safety, you will first need to look at your work needs assessment.
Check with your current first aiders if there are new circumstances to take into consideration, for example, working from home, working with PPE, or any vulnerable workers that are currently first aiders.
Take a look at our handy video guide to performing CPR under Covid safety measures.
First Aid Cover
Having reviewed your first aid needs assessment, you will know whether you can still provide the cover needed for employees who are still in the workplace.
If you have fewer employees than normal coming in to work, you may be able to operate safely with reduced first aid cover.
You may also be eligible to share the first aiders of another business under a temporary cover agreement.
First Aid Certificate Extensions
First Aid at Work (FAW) or Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificates can now remain valid 6 months from date of expiry. All requalification training for these certificates should be completed by 31 March 2021.
This guidance now applies to employers in England, Scotland and Wales.
First Aid Training – face to face
HSE still strongly recommends that FAW, EFAW and requalification courses are delivered face to face, so that the competency of the student can be properly assessed.
Can we train whilst on furlough?
The short answer is Yes.
Training whilst on furlough is a great opportunity and use of employee time. As long as the training is not directly making the organisation any money, it is allowed, and should not affect the furlough wage – read more about the Government guidelines over on our First Aid Training Whilst on Furlough
We have launched our online Mental Health First Aid Course
We are delighted to share with you our new online courses in Mental Health. Before you jump on board and book these courses, it is important to note – these are not your ordinary ‘online courses’ with pre-recorded sessions. They are live instructor-led courses bringing the classroom-based activities to life via a specialist Online Learning Hub. Courses are accredited and certified by MHFA England (the only licensed provider in ‘Mental Health First Aid’ in England). Find out more about our Mental Health Courses.
