First Aid News

HSE Changes - New Timetable for Amendments
25th February 2013

We have received a letter from the HSE dated 18th February 2013 in respect of the ‘Proposed changes to the Health and safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981’.

The opening paragraph reads:

HSE are writing to inform you that there has been a change to the timetable for implementing the proposed amendments to the Regulations that you were expecting to take place on 6 April 2013.

Due to the cross-cutting nature of the proposed changes – which will affect every workplace in Great Britain – the HSE Board have requested further time to consider the proposals in light of the consultation responses received. Subject to Parliamentary approval. The proposed changes will now come into force on 1 October 2013.

What does this mean for Nuco Instructors?

In essence it means little change. 

The only difference from our perspective is that you will be able to offer HSE Approved qualifications through Nuco Training until 30th September 2013, instead of the original cut off point of 5th April.

As you are aware, we have introduced the new Level 2 EFAW and the new Level 3 FAW qualifications, which will be our replacement programmes as soon as the HSE approved qualifications are removed.

These qualifications have been widely accepted by instructors and employers alike as their preferred route.

We are delighted to welcome so many of you, who clearly feel that the change to delivering national accredited qualifications as being what your customer wants and, who in turn, see them as an ideal replacement for HSE Approved certification.

It is important that your customers/employers are given a choice.

Yet again, there appears to be much misleading information from various organisations and forums regarding the changes. Please accept that this is the latest and correct information. 

Naturally, we have no control over the HSE’s decision to move the proposed changes deadline to 1st October 2013.

In respect of your customers/employers, we have received further correspondence from the HSE in respect of the following:

• Draft guidance on the amended First Aid Regulations 1981: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l74draft.pdf

• Selecting a First Aid training provider: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis3.pdf

If you are considering becoming an approved centre with First Aid Awards Ltd, our preferred awarding body, then they will be extending the ‘Free-Of-Charge’ application until 30th September 2013.

Finally, we are aware that some of you have received correspondence from third-party organisations. Please rest assured that your details have not come from us. Should you have any questions, please let us know.
 

  

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HSE Changes - Important News from Nuco Training
5th November 2012 1.00pm

Nuco Training are delighted to announce that as from 1st January 2013, there will be a new Level 3 Award (Level 6 in Scotland) in First Aid at Work.

Background
In 2011 Professor Löfstedt was commissioned to review the Health and Safety legislation, including all of the Regulations and the Approved Code of Practices.
His task was to remove the burden for employers in respect of H&S legislation, along with the bureaucracy and red tape associated with it.
Part of this review included the First Aid Regulations.
As you are no doubt aware, it is extremely likely that the HSE will ultimately relinquish their responsibility for HSE Approved First Aid training and therefore, the monitoring of HSE Approved training companies.
There is a consultation document for stakeholders in respect of First Aid, which closes on 3rd December and you are encouraged to respond.
The findings from this consultation will ultimately determine the revised Regulations along with Approve Code Of Practice (ACOP) for employers.
Should you wish to take part in this consultation please follow this link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd248.htm

The results will determine the guidance for employers in respect of their assessment of First Aid needs.
It is likely that the changes will be implemented as early as April 2013 and probably no later than October 2013.
It will be critical for employers to determine their First Aid needs and what will be a suitable replacement for EFAW and FAW training.
We believe that training delivered by an approved centre of an Ofqual/SQA regulated awarding organisation is more than sufficient, which will be encouraging news for employers and your customers alike.
Nuco Training is an Approved Centre with First Aid Awards Ltd who is regulated by Ofqual and the SQA in Scotland.
This is great news for you because you have to look no further!!

Emergency First Aid at Work
As you are aware in 2011 a new Level 2 Award for Emergency First Aid at Work was introduced to run alongside the HSE Approved EFAW.
In essence it was the same course delivered by yourself, but the certificate that was issued, was from an Ofqual or SQA regulated Awarding Organisation, namely First Aid Awards Ltd in your case. The learners still achieved the status of Emergency First Aider but they were also accredited with a national qualification.

First Aid at Work
The same will apply with this qualification as from 1st January 2013. However, the award will be a Level 3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and likely to be a Level 6 in Scotland. This new qualification will run alongside the existing HSE Approved FAW qualification until such time it is removed i.e.: in April or October 2013 we believe.
We will of course keep you posted as soon as we have this information and confirmation.

What does this mean to you as a Nuco supported First Aid instructor?
Well in short, it’s nothing but good news!!

1. You are eligible immediately to start offering the new qualifications.
2. Nuco Training is an approved centre with First Aid Awards Ltd and you will get immediate and Free-Of-Charge, approved status with them for the purpose of delivering the new First Aid qualifications. The same applies to the Defibrillation qualification if you are presently qualified to deliver this.
3. The syllabus is the same as you are delivering now with the same rules in respect of timing and duration
4. There is no need for external assessors for FAW. Ongoing summative assessment by you the trainer is acceptable as well as a multiple choice question paper.
5. Your FAW courses become cheaper to deliver:
   i. No need for assessors (on average you will spend £150 on assessors per course)
   ii. Certificates will be cheaper i.e.: reduced to £10 or £11 per learner dependant on whether you file the results online yourself or not.
6. In respect of certificates, your learners will receive an A4 certificate detailing the qualification with a gold foil stamp issued by First Aid Awards Ltd, an Ofqual/SQA regulated awarding organisation. They will also receive Free-Of-Charge a separate laminated wallet sized card  detailing their success.
7. You will have access to an updated PowerPoint presentation for FAW and EFAW and the training notes in PDF format , Free-Of-Charge.
8. You will register the course in exactly the same way as you do now via nucoplus.com or by ringing in with the details
9. Administration is straightforward, as it is now. The paperwork is slightly different with the new qualifications, but it is simple. We will give you every support and guidance on this.
10. The support will be the same, if not better!

What are the downsides?
1. Nuco Training cannot include your logo on certificates, as we do now. This is an Ofqual/SQA regulation.

Should you require your logo on the certificates, then we have a solution for that!
Register yourself with First Aid Awards Ltd as an approved centre in your own right. The process is simple and up to April 2013 it is completely Free-Of-Charge for those wishing to offer the new First Aid qualifications in 2013, including the new Level 3 FAW qualification.
To register yourself, or  your company as an Approved Centre, please e-mail  enquiries@firstaidawards.com.

 
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (2-day requalification)
The syllabus, duration and timings will be the same as it is now.
The assessment process is the same as the new Level 3 Award in FAW
i.e.: there is no need for external assessors. You will have to conduct an ongoing summative assessment along with a question paper.
This will reduce the cost of running your 2-day courses.
The certificate that will be issued will be a new Level 3 Award in FAW and the cost is as defined in ● 5 above.

What about the courses I have already registered for 2013?
Up until the HSE removes the requirement for HSE Approved training, then there is nothing stopping you from continuing to offer the HSE Approved qualification.
As mentioned before, this is like to be April or October 2013.
Our advice is to change them now to the new Level 3 Award in FAW and take advantage of the savings.
As soon as the HSE drops the requirement for HSE Approved training, Nuco will automatically register the courses as Level 3 Awards and you will be sent appropriate paperwork.

How does it affect my HSE qualified learners that are coming up for requalification training?
The important thing is that their qualification remains valid throughout their qualification period.
When it comes to requalification, you will simply put them through a 2-day course and issue them a Level 3 Award in FAW.

What is a Level 3 Award in FAW, Level 2 Award in EFAW (Level 6 and 5 in Scotland)?
These are new awards that sit on the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) in Scotland.
In essence, they have more value for your learners – a nationally accredited qualification, as well as the First Aid title in their workplace!

What role will the HSE have in the future?
First and foremost, they will continue to regulate First Aid training from the employer’s perspective.
Secondly, they will continue to set the standards for Awarding Organisations, who in turn have to ensure that their Approved Centres and trainers are appropriately qualified. This is paramount in respect of quality assurance. This in our mind is the safeguard for employers, ensuring that regulated First Aid training is of a suitable standard and meets their minimum needs.
The HSE will be publishing a list of Awarding Organisations that can provide this new Level 3 Award in FAW and First Aid Awards Ltd will of course be included on this list.
First Aid Awards Ltd is currently listed to be able to offer the Level 2 EFAW (Level 5 in Scotland).

Should you have any questions relating to this bulletin, please e-mail: steve@firstaidawards.com who will endeavour to answer your questions as clearly and as quickly as possible.
 

 

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22nd October 2012:

We are getting a lot of calls and emails with regards to what is happening with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and how we all stand in the future in respect of First Aid training.
 
You do not need to do anything and it is business as normal for you now, during the change and after the change.
 
Q. How are the changes going to affect my business?
 
What we know:
 
We know that the HSE has been planning to relinquish their responsibility of the approval and monitoring of HSE Approved training organisations, as well as removing HSE approved First Aid qualifications for some time, and we know that this is imminent. We do not know the exact time of this, but we are expecting a statement from the HSE in the next couple of weeks which will give us the date and details of their plan.
 
At present the HSE have 2 accredited qualifications that are the industry standard and these are the Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) and the First Aid at Work (FAW). In 2009 the HSE announced that the new Level 2 Award in EFAW would be an acceptable and alternative qualification to the HSE approved EFAW and that organisations such as Nuco Training could certificate it through an Awarding Organisation (if they were offering them) should they want to. This gave your customers and learners a choice.
 
An Awarding Organisation is a body that is regulated by Ofqual and/or SQA and responsible in this instance, for Level 2 EFAW qualifications that sit on the QCF and/or SCQF. First Aid Awards Ltd is such an awarding organisation that offers the full range of Level 2 First Aid and AED qualifications in England, Wales and NI and Level 5 in Scotland. Nuco Training is an approved centre with First Aid Awards and this means that you are approved to deliver the new qualifications as a matter of course because of the association and qualifications you have achieved with Nuco Training.
 
Nuco Training and you as a Nuco approved and supported instructor, were given a choice to your customers of either HSE approved qualifications or the new Level 2/5 Award in Emergency First Aid for some time. Soon, there will be no HSE approved qualifications. However, we believe that the new Level 2/5 EFAW and the proposed Level 3/6 FAW will be more than suitable to replace the HSE approved qualifications.
 
What you need to do:
 
From your point of view, you do not need to do anything to carry on once the changes have been implemented. You will simply be offering national Level 2/3 (5/6 in Scotland) qualifications in First Aid instead of HSE Approved qualifications. We believe that these new national qualifications are of a huge benefit to your learners.
 
You are a registered Instructor with Nuco Training Ltd, and because of this you are in a very strong position to be able to offer these new qualifications to your learners because of this relationship.
 
We have worked very hard, and are continuing to do so to make sure that these changes will have a minimal affect on you. The biggest change that you will have is removing the HSE references from your websites and literature, but we will of course guide you through this.
 
If you have any concerns, questions or comments then please do not hesitate to contact me and I would be delighted to help you. The best way to contact me is by email and my address is Jason@nucotraining.com
 
But don't worry about the changes and what you need to do, this is all taken care of and it will be business as normal for us all through these changes. We will keep you posted of developments as they happen.

 

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        Resuscitation Council (UK) Changes October 2010

For details of the latest changes please see the Download area at the foot of this page for two pdf files

        Latest from the HSE: Whats New?  "Update advice on first aid protocols" May 2010

            http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/update-protocols.htm

         HSE Newsletters

For the latest HSE Newsletters please see the pdf  Downloads at the foot of the page

Also, click/see these links below to obtain the very latest information regarding HSE First Aid and the current changes

1. First Aid at Work  - The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L74)

            http://www.nucoplus.com/FAQDocuments/ACOP.pdf

 

2. First Aid at Work - your questions answered (INDG214 (rev1))

            http://www.nucoplus.com/FAQDocuments/QA.pdf

 

3. Guidance on offshore first aid training and qualifications

            http://www.nucoplus.com/FAQDocuments/offshore-firstaid.pdf

 

4. Guidance on offshore medic training and qualifications

            http://www.nucoplus.com/FAQDocuments/offshore-medic.pdf

 

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Frequently asked questions on the changes to first aid training and approval arrangements

Introduction

This note is aimed at employer duty holders and first aid training organisations.  It considers some common enquiries received by HSE on future changes to the first aid training regime for first aiders in the workplace. 

See the following link to the HSE's website for full details:

            http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/review/trainingfaq.htm

Equivalence of First Aid at Work, Offshore First Aid and Offshore Medic Qualifications

The latest information concerning the validity and equivalence of Offshore Medical Personnel qualifications has recently been announced (October 2008) by the HSE. See the following link to the HSE's website for full details

         http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/equivalence.htm

Advice for First Aiders responding to harness suspension incidents

The latest information concerning 'First Aid management for harness suspension when working at height' has recently been announced (September 2008) by the HSE. See the following link to the HSE's website for full details

          http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/harness.htm

 

DOWNLOADS

PDF	Resuscitation Council (UK) October 2010 Changes (No 1)	Download	50KB
PDF	Resuscitation Council (UK) October 2010 Changes (No 2)	Download	50KB
PDF	HSE Newsletter Issue No.10 June 2010	Download	100KB
PDF	HSE Newsletter March 2010	Download	100KB
PDF	HSE Newsletter November 2009	Download	100KB
PDF	HSE Newsletter July 2009	Download	100KB
PDF	HSENI August 2009 Newsletter	Download	30KB
PDF	HSE Update Interim Changes -  August 2008.pdf	Download	20KB
PDF	HSE Statement - July 2008.pdf	Download	20KB
PDF	HSE Implementation of changes to First Aid Training June 2008.pdf	Download	10KB
PDF	Summary of Stakeholder Meeting June 2008.pdf	Download	20KB
PDF	Bulletin 2nd May 2008 ,pdf	Download	100KB
PDF	HSE Evaluation of Responses March 2008.pdf	Download	40KB
PDF	A Guide for Training Organisations.pdf	Download	120KB
PDF	ACOP Guidance.pdf	Download	155KB
PDF	Consultation on Revised Guidance.pdf	Download	29 KB

 

 

1. You are eligible immediately to start offering the new qualifications.
2. Nuco Training is an approved centre with First Aid Awards Ltd and you will get immediate and Free-Of-Charge, approved status with them for the purpose of delivering the new First Aid qualifications. The same applies to the Defibrillation qualification if you are presently qualified to deliver this.
3. The syllabus is the same as you are delivering now with the same rules in respect of timing and duration
4. There is no need for external assessors for FAW. Ongoing summative assessment by you the trainer is acceptable as well as a multiple choice question paper.
5. Your FAW courses become cheaper to deliver:

6. In respect of certificates, your learners will receive an A4 certificate detailing the qualification with a gold foil stamp issued by First Aid Awards Ltd, an Ofqual/SQA regulated awarding organisation.

7. You will have access to an updated PowerPoint presentation for FAW and EFAW and the training notes in PDF format , Free-Of-Charge.
8. You will register the course in exactly the same way as you do now via nucoplus.com or by ringing in with the details
9. Administration is straightforward, as it is now. The paperwork is slightly different with the new qualifications, but it is simple. We will give you every support and guidance on this.
10. The support will be the same, if not better!

1. Nuco Training cannot include your logo on certificates, as we do now. This is an Ofqual/SQA regulation.

 

Copyright 2007 Nuco Training Ltd, All Rights Reserved. Nuco Training Ltd, Endeavour House, Central Treviscoe, St Austell, Cornwall, UK, PL26 7QP. E: enquiries@nucotraining.com Tel: 08456 444 999 Fax: (01726) 828170