There was a meeting of the First Aid Quality Partnership held late on 5th January regarding the delivery of first aid and other training during the current lockdown and they have decided that currently, the provision of first aid qualifications can continue to be delivered in line with existing COVID secure guidelines.
The HSE will approach the UK devolved administrations, so things may change but the advice is that training can continue for all qualifications whether ProTrainings or Regulated for the time being.
How we are ensuring the health and safety of people on our courses
We have implemented the following measures to keep learners and our employees safe:
- We will ask anyone who is unwell with symptoms of Covid-19 to not attend the course.
- Temperatures will be taken before entry to the classroom is aloud.
- Facemasks are to be worn at all times whilst in the training room.
- Updated HSE advice highlights the importance of ventilation and air conditioning in indoor spaces to provide fresh air into enclosed spaces to help prevent the transmission of Covid-19. We are keeping windows open slightly to increase ventilation for the safety of learners and trainers. During the winter months keeping windows open can be challenging and we would advise that you turn up for your course wearing suitable clothing and are sufficiently layered up to help you stay warm.
- The seating in our training room will be 2 metres apart to allow social distancing on the arrival and throughout the day. Learner numbers on courses have been reduced to permit this.
- Whenever reasonably practical, social distancing will be maintained.
- For sessions of training and assessment where it is necessary to come within 2 metres of other learners, related to a situation where a first aider may be expected to wear PPE in a real emergency, appropriate PPE will be provided.
- We encourage regular use of hand washing facilities and provide alcohol-based hand sanitisers in each training room for regular use.
- One manikin will be provided per learner. We have also significantly increased stocks of manikin faces and face shields and adheres to rigorous cleaning and sanitising procedures.
- All equipment is cleaned regularly.
- All practical elements of the course will be carried out on either a manikin or on the delegates themselves.
- A one-way system is in place to reduce passing in the classroom and kitchen area.
- Only one person to enter the kitchen at a time.
We will keep you updated with any changes but you also need to discuss your proposed courses with your customer to ensure the room is safe and that they want to go ahead or make changes like reducing student numbers.