High Wycombe town centre has strengthened its emergency provision with the installation of new public access bleed control kits, thanks to a joint initiative between Buckinghamshire Council and HWBidCo.
The specialist kits, now a familiar sight in many towns and cities across the UK, are designed to provide vital equipment in the crucial minutes following a serious injury involving significant blood loss.
Early intervention can be lifesaving, particularly in cases where emergency services may take several minutes to arrive.
The new kits have been placed at key locations across the town centre and will sit alongside existing defibrillators to create a more coordinated network of emergency response equipment. The locations include:
- All Saints Churchyard – A secure bleed kit box has been installed next to the existing defibrillator, beside Costa Coffee.
- Wycombe Art Centre, Desborough Road – A kit has been placed within the defibrillator cabinet.
- Late-night venues – Two additional mass‑casualty response kits have been positioned inside centrally located late‑night establishments.
These installations add to the bleed control kits already available within the Eden Shopping Centre.
Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Buckinghamshire Council is committed to working collaboratively with partners to maintain safe and welcoming town centres.
“These bleed control kits strengthen the ability of our Street Wardens, local security and the public to respond to medical emergencies in High Wycombe.
“Most busy town and city centres in the country have similar provision like this, so we are pleased that High Wycombe will now be similarly equipped.
“We hope, of course, that they are never required, but having access to this potentially life-saving equipment could be critical in the moments whilst waiting for emergency services to arrive.”
Susan Hynard, Chief Executive of HWBIDCo, added: “The installation of these kits demonstrates the strength of partnership working in High Wycombe and the commitment of businesses to play their part in ensuring safety in the town centre for shop staff, residents and visitors.”
In the event of an emergency, members of the public are advised to call 999 and provide their location.
Call handlers will then direct them to the nearest available kit and supply a secure access code to unlock the cabinet.
Guidance on how to use the equipment will also be provided over the phone.
To see the bleed map in the UK, visit www.bleedmap.uk.
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