Firm offers free training in emergency medicine

A Cork-based health and safety company is offering 100 people free training courses in the administration of emergency medicines in an attempt to save lives.

Newmarket-based Health & Safety Services (HSS) said the course will be open to representatives of companies, schools, sporting organisations, community groups and others on a first come first served basis.

It follows the decision by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar to introduce new laws to allow organisations to hold emergency stocks of so-called “rescue medicines”.

The decision came in the wake of the death of Emma Sloan, 14, on O’Connell St, Dublin in December 2013.

The teen had forgotten to take with her an EpiPen, a disposable pre-filled medical injector which she had to combat a nut allergy.

She had unknowingly eaten a peanut-based sauce and suffered anaphylactic shock, as she was unable to get the epinephrine shot needed to save her life.

HSS spokesman Matthew Browne said the minister’s decision was very welcome as it would help many potential sufferers of anaphylactic shock, which could be brought on by ingesting a number of different foods which in some cases the victim might not know they were allergic to.

Mr Browne added that while most of the news has surrounded the safe use of epipens for allergic reactions, there are also other drugs covered by these new laws.

These include glucagon for diabetic hypoglycaemia, salbutamol for the treatment of asthma attacks, glyceryl trinitrate for angina (which is severe chest pain), naloxone (treatment of opioid overdose) and entonox (used for the management of severe pain).

Those wishing to apply for the free courses should log onto www.HssIreland.ie