News & Updates

Legislation updates to L74 (First Aid at Work), GEIS 3 and Early Year Foundation Stage

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched updated versions of the following documents: L74 – Guidance on The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 GEIS 3 – Selecting a First Aid Training Provider – A Guide for Employers The full documents can be accessed through the links above. The most significant change in […]

HSE 2023 Statistics

The HSE published the most recent statistics in November 2023 (check out HSE key figures here), highlighting an alarming figure of 0.9 million workers that are reported to be suffering from work related stress, depression or anxiety, either new or long standing in 2022/23. Of these workers, 338,000 are suffering from a new case. For […]

Mountains and First Aid

“Mountains cover around 27 percent of the Earth’s land surface and host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. They supply freshwater to an estimated half of humanity as well as being home to an extraordinary range of plants and animals, and to many culturally diverse communities with different languages and traditions. From climate regulation […]

Asthma and Cold Weather

As the weather gets colder, many people notice that their Asthma symptoms get worse. For many Asthma sufferers winter is a tough season. Why does the cold weather affect Asthma? Put simply, when it is cold, the air is dryer and colder. Breathing in cold, dry air irritates the airways in the lungs, which react […]

#StopDiabetesForever?

100 years ago, Frederick Banting and John Macleod won a Nobel Prize for discovering the treatment which has gone on to save millions of lives around the world – insulin.  Insulin is what is used in the medical treatment of Diabetes for people who do not correctly produce this hormone in their own body. Whilst no […]

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Hot Water Burns Like Fire

A burn injury is for life. A staggering 30 children per day attend hospital due to a burn caused by a hot drink. In 2022 a total of 7,335 children and 8,520 adults were burned or scalded severely enough to need admission to hospital (these figures doesn’t include those seen in A&E and discharged home). […]

Urgent – Emerade AAI has been recalled

A precautionary recall on all Emerade Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) of 300 microgram and 500 microgram doses has been actioned as during a design assessment conducted by the manufacturer some there is a potential for some 300 microgram and 500 microgram Emerade pens to fail during use after having been dropped. For full details of this […]

Do you really need to call 999?

For many smaller common injuries, some First Aid knowledge and a first aid kit can enable you to sort things out yourself. Attending a First Aid course can give you confidence in dealing with emergencies, so get yourself booked onto a course. If you need some extra help, there are a number of options open […]

Covid-19 – is it still an issue when attending First Aid Training?

Well, we’ve had a call today as I write this from a candidate postponing their training as they are positive with Covid-19, and as restrictions lift it will still be an issue – particularly for those vulnerable members of our community. We would therefore ask our clients to help us in keeping all of our […]

First Aid for Mental Health

Mental Health is as important as physical health. On Tuesday 23 March 2021, the First Aid (Mental Health) Bill was passed to a second reading and whilst the content of the bill is not yet available at the time of writing this article, it is thought that it will become compulsory for businesses to have a certain […]

January 2021 HSE & DfE Updates on First Aid Training

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have clarified the position of First Aid Training during the latest coronavirus lockdown. In England 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. All possible […]

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – JANUARY 2021

We have today recevied updated guidance from one of our Ofqual Awarding Organisations regarding the delivery of First Aid Training during the lockdown period which begins on 6 January 2021. In summary: Training Guidance Whilst the restrictions and guidelines vary between each nation, the requirements for training are common in each, so our guidance at […]

Further updates on extensions to existing First Aid qualifications

The HSE has this week announced changes to the validity of existing First Aid qualifications due to the backlog of people needing First Aid Traning and the reduced capacity of many training organisations who are delivering courses with fewer candidate numbers in order to ensure that courses are covid-secure. The details are as follows: First […]

Covid-secure First Aid Training with Underwood Training

This is an overview of the procedures that we have put in place to ensure the safety of both candidates and staff during first aid training courses. If you have any questions about our procedures or about particular course types, please do not hesitate to contact us at Underwood Training HQ. * where a qualification […]

We’re back – Covid-19 secure First Aid Training!

I’m happy to announce that we are back delivering First Aid training courses. Our trials of Covid-19 secure First Aid at Work Requalificaiton and Paediatric First Aid courses these past two weeks have gone really well and we’ve recieved fabulous feedback from our clients. A few pictures from these courses – during training and the […]

Update on First Aid extensions including Paediatric First Aid

For those of you working in adult workplaces, you will recall from an earlier blog that the HSE announced a further extension to Emergency First Aid and First Aid at Work qualifications that expired on/after 16 March 2020 to 30 September 2020. This is excellent news as currently the advice for the First Aid Industry […]

When will we be able to start delivering First Aid Training courses again?

There are now glimpses of the light at the end of the tunnel, so I hope that this is enabling you to feel a bit more positive about the future. We are hoping soon to be able to rebuild and get First Aid Training courses up and running for you again, and as there has […]

Further extension to First Aid qualifications and update on training

To update you on where we are currently at in terms of First Aid Training, this is the latest information that we have received from our industry. The HSE has announced via its website today 26 May 2020: ‘Requalification training in England: The first aid training industry in England is confident that enough courses will […]

First Aid cover and qualifications during coronavirus (COVID-19)

The HSE has updated their information regarding First Aid cover during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following information is from the HSE’s website: If first aid cover for your business is reduced because of coronavirus or you can’t get the first aid training you need, there are some things you can do so that you still comply […]

Video: Update to CPR in the light of COVID-19

In a nutshell: If you have to do this in an emergency the Resuscitation Council (UK) recommend you seek advice from NHS 111 afterwards  The CPR protocol for children has NOT changed – it is likely that the rescuer knows the child and ventilations are essential for children as they are more likely to initially […]

HSE extension to First Aid qualifcations expiring post 16.3.2020

Great news for First Aiders who are being affected by the current Coronavirus situation in respect to requalification courses – a 3-month extension to your certificate if it expires on or after 16th March 2020. This will also cover Paediatric First Aid qualifications. HSE statement in full: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is aware that […]