The NHS is expanding its 'Stop the Bleed' programme, a public bleeding control training initiative originally developed in the United States following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The programme teaches members of the public three core techniques for controlling life-threatening bleeding: applying direct pressure, packing a wound, and applying a tourniquet.
Why Bleeding Control Matters
Uncontrolled haemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death following traumatic injury, accounting for approximately 40% of trauma deaths. Many of these deaths occur in the critical period between injury and ambulance arrival — the so-called "platinum ten minutes" — when bystander intervention can make the difference between life and death.
Research from the US, where Stop the Bleed has been widely implemented, shows that trained bystanders can effectively control life-threatening bleeding in the majority of cases, significantly improving survival rates. The NHS programme aims to replicate these outcomes in the UK context.
What the Training Covers
The standard Stop the Bleed course runs for approximately 90 minutes and covers wound assessment, the decision-making process for choosing the appropriate bleeding control technique, hands-on practice with training tourniquets and wound packing materials, and guidance on when and how to use commercially available bleeding control kits.
Implications for Workplaces
The HSE has noted that the expansion of Stop the Bleed training is consistent with its guidance on first aid needs assessments, which requires employers to consider the specific injury risks in their workplace when determining first aid provision. Workplaces with a significant risk of traumatic injury — including construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural operations — should consider whether their first aid provision includes bleeding control training.