Pauline's Law: Expanding Access to Emergency First Aid Education for Young People

That the Parliament recognises the Pauline’s Law campaign, established by Suzzi Young in memory of her mother, Pauline, and inspired by those who came to her aid when she became critically unwell; commends the members of the public and staff whose knowledge, skills and willingness to act led them to perform CPR and use a defibrillator in an attempt to save her life; recognises what it sees as the vital role that bystanders can play in medical emergencies and the importance of emergency first aid education in building confidence and lifesaving skills; acknowledges the work already being delivered across Scotland by schools, educators, charities, first aid organisations, emergency services and volunteers; welcomes the campaign’s success in raising awareness and engaging stakeholders; notes reported concerns that access to emergency first aid education and recognised qualifications remains inconsistent between schools and communities; believes that no young person’s opportunity to develop potentially lifesaving skills should depend on where they live or attend school; considers that a recognised qualification could help provide a consistent foundation of practical knowledge, skills and confidence for young people across Scotland while building on existing good practice; recognises that emergency first aid covers a range of life-threatening situations, including cardiac arrest, choking, severe bleeding and unconscious casualties; supports the campaign’s aspiration that every young person should have the opportunity to gain a recognised emergency first aid qualification before leaving school, and believes that expanding access to such opportunities would help equip future generations across Scotland with practical skills, knowledge and confidence that benefit homes, workplaces and communities.