Lifesaving bleed kits installed across Oxford to help in an emergency

Oxford City Council has worked with an Oxford-based theatre group and Thames Valley Police to install four new lifesaving bleed control kits in key locations across the city. 

The kits, which are designed to help treat severe bleeding before emergency services arrive, have been installed by ODS at: 

• Barton Community Centre 

• Templars Square Shopping Centre 

• Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre 

• Blackbird Leys Top Shops 

Each kit contains essential first aid equipment, such as tourniquets, gauze and gloves, to help control heavy bleeding in critical situations. Like defibrillators, the bleed kits are stored in secure cabinets on the outside of buildings. Emergency call handlers provide the key code access to the cabinets when needed. While Oxford has many defibrillators, including in Oxford Town Hall, these are the first publicly accessible bleed kits installed in the city. 

The initiative is part of a wider effort to enhance community safety and ensure people have access to essential first-aid tools in critical situations. Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police had already been working to install bleed kits, and the initiative has also been supported by Claire Nelson, who last year wrote and performed a solo show, “Motherhood”, about the impact of knife crime on parents, inspired by real-life experiences. A Crowdfunder linked to the show raised over £1300 to fund two of the newly installed kits. 

The installation of the kits follows similar initiatives in other UK cities, where they have been credited with helping to save lives. 

Claire Nelson, “Motherhood” writer and performer, and key fundraiser, said: 

"I'm so pleased that Oxford now has bleed kits and would like to thank all the people who donated to the crowdfunding campaign for this.

Bleed kits can help any member of the public save a life before professional medical help arrives and those minutes could just make the difference to help save someone's life."

Councillor Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for A Safer Oxford said: 

“In an emergency, every second counts. Having these vital kits in place really could save lives. We’re proud to support this initiative between the Council, Thames Valley Police and brilliant community advocates like Claire, to help make Oxford a safer place for everyone.”