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Motion · S6M-17763 · 30 May 2025

Addressing First Aid Hesitancy in Edinburgh and the Lothians through the "Taking the Fear Out of First Aid" Campaign

Lodged by Alex Cole-Hamilton (Scottish Liberal Democrats) Standard Motion 14 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes the findings of a YouGov survey commissioned by St Andrew’s First Aid (SAFA), Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity, which reportedly indicate that residents of Edinburgh and the Lothians are the least likely in Scotland to intervene in a first aid emergency, with 11% of respondents admitting they had been in a situation where they could have offered first aid but chose not to; understands that this is 4% above the national average of 7%, and the highest of any region; further understands, with concern, that only 57% of respondents in the region have received any form of first aid training, despite 88% recognising its importance; understands that while 49% of respondents say they would step in during an emergency, 38% would hesitate first, and a further 29% say their response would not change even if the person in need were known to them, which is also the highest in Scotland; notes reports that fear remains a key barrier to action, with 62% of respondents citing fear of doing something wrong and 61% concerned about making the situation worse, and supports SAFA’s "Taking the Fear Out of First Aid" campaign, which aims to address these anxieties, boost public confidence, and increase first aid awareness and training across Edinburgh, the Lothians, and the wider country.

Supporters (14)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.