Bleed-kits
Information that will assist you in establishing a public access bleed-kit in your community.
What is a public access available bleed-kit?
A bleed-kit is a specific kit that can be sited anywhere within the community where there is 24/7 accessibility, or where there is limited availability within location (e.g. inside buildings).
These can be stored in unlocked or locked cabinets within the local community. Unlocked cabinets are preferred to ensure easy access to the equipment at the time of need.
Do we need a publicly accessible bleed-kit in our community?
Bleed-kits are a new introduction to the offer that can be placed in public areas. The research in the benefit of the bleed-kits is still being collated. They are there for patients who have catastrophic bleeds, and where early stemming of the flow of blood will assist in the patient’s condition.
Bleed kits and items of emergency equipment - position statement - aace.org.uk
Where can bleed-kits be sited?
Bleed-kits can be located anywhere within the community. The considerations that would need to be thought through are the accessibility and proximity to potential patients. For bleed-kits to be effective they need to be close to the patient at their time of call or brought to the patient by the first responders to a 999 call.
How does the Bleed-kit site work?
Bleed-kits are community assets managed by the local community and are an extension to the first aid equipment provided by that community/location. In the event that a patient requires the bleed-kit, the local community/location will have made people aware of the equipment, its location and may have provided awareness training. All patients who are having a catastrophic bleed should also receive ambulance care and a 999 call should be made for additional help to arrive. The responsibility of the awareness of these kits lies with those who place them; East of England Ambulance Service will not actively deploy the community to bleed-kits.
If I choose to set up a site what equipment will I need?
You will need to think about where you are going to site your bleed-kit and ensure it is accessible to those who know where it is. This may be in a cabinet internally or externally of a location, or with existing first aid equipment. Unlocked access provides quick easy access to lifesaving equipment at the time of need and is the recommendation of all ambulance services when it comes to all lifesaving equipment. You will also need to purchase a bleed-kit to be located in the cabinet. There are many different companies who are advertising bleed-kits to be used in the local community. Undertake your research to identify the equipment that is appropriate for your local community.
Are there any ongoing costs?
The bleed-kits are single use only and therefore once they have been used on a patient the kit will need to be replaced. There will also be an expiry date on the equipment, once this has been reached the equipment will require changing.
Who looks after the site?
The responsibility for the management, governance, training and any ongoing costs are the responsibility of the community/ group who chose to place a bleed-kit in the community.
If you have undertaken a risk assessment on your bleed kit and you have located it within a locked box, you can inform us of the details of the location and key code for the bleed-kit and if asked by the caller we will provide this information to them to access your bleed-kit.
What do I do now?
If having undertaken your research you want to progress with locating a bleed-kit locally, please do, remembering you are responsible for the management, governance and local awareness of the kit.
You can register your Bleed-kit on GoodSAM.
Get in touch
By email
If you have any further questions:
Email: defibs@eastamb.nhs.uk
Online form
If you want to pass any information to the Ambulance Service then please complete the information form.
