Wiltshire 999s Bleed Kits Project is a community-led initiative to improve public access to life-saving equipment across Chippenham and, in time, the wider county.
We have partnered with Wiltshire Police and Owen’s World Foundation to deliver the scheme locally. The project has been shaped by community concern around serious violence and medical emergencies, including the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Shayne Hambakachere in London Road in January.
The aim is to ensure that specialist bleed control equipment is available to the public in the first critical minutes after a catastrophic bleed.
Through community fundraising, 26 emergency bleed kits have been funded for Chippenham so far. The kits have been purchased and are currently being distributed to locations across the town.
The first bleed kit was installed at the main gate of Abbeyfield School on 14 April. It is available to the public twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
✔️ In an unlocked and immediately accessible dispenser
✔️ Approved by, and designed in consultation with NHS South West
✔️ Endorsed by South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
✔️ Mapped on the ambulance and police emergency systems
Why bleed kits matter
Severe blood loss can prove fatal within minutes. In incidents involving serious violence, road traffic collisions or other traumatic injuries, early intervention can significantly improve a person’s chances of survival.
These kits are specifically designed so that anyone, even without medical training, can use them in the critical first minutes after a catastrophic bleed. In any emergency, members of the public should always dial 999 first.
Officially approved equipment
The project uses bleed kits supplied by HeartSafe. They are the only bleed kits clinically approved by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST).
The kits are approved by, and designed in consultation with NHS South West.
Each cabinet is unlocked and immediately accessible to the public at all times.
All kits are mapped on ambulance and police emergency systems. This means 999 call handlers may direct callers to the nearest registered bleed kit while emergency services are on route.
Monitoring and maintenance
The kits come with a legacy of monitoring, maintenance and replacement to ensure they remain ready for use.
Neighbourhood police officers and local guardians will assist with oversight to help ensure the cabinets remain in place and operational.
What is inside a bleed kit
Each kit contains a first-aid pack with specialist equipment to help stem the loss of blood in the moments before paramedics arrive.
This includes haemostatic dressings, trauma dressings and a tourniquet.
At the heart of every kit is a patient colour-coded instruction card. The card was developed and approved by South West Ambulance Service and guides users step-by-step through life-saving treatment.
The Wiltshire 999s Bleed Kits Project is funded through community support. If you would like to help fund a kit in your area or offer a suitable public location for installation, please contact us.
