Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 March 2004. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether (a) police training for recruits and (b) in-service training for police officers includes awareness of how to respond to members of the public with acquired brain injuries.

Answer: Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) police training for recruits and (b) in-service training for police officers includes awareness of how to respond to members of the public with acquired brain injuries. [157560] Ms Blears: The 15 week Probationer Training Programme delivered by Centrex to all new police recruits, incorporates a First Aid course consisting of five modules to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) approved Common Minimum Standards. The course includes management of a casualty with head and associated injuries, convulsion and stroke. It teaches how to recognize signs and symptoms, examine and treat injury, obtain medical help, adopt the correct position, provide reassurance and monitoring. Training also includes life saving, illness in public places, and dealing with sudden death if required. In addition to testing the knowledge, understanding and skills on all these issues, probationers would also be assessed on attitudes and behaviour. In police forces, specialist courses are delivered to officers as needed. Members of the public who enter custody at police stations are assessed and medical advice sought where appropriate.

Secondary information