London Assembly backs calls for bleed kits on bus network
- Safer Highways
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
The London Assembly has backed calls for bleed control kits to be installed in major bus stations and on bus routes in areas affected by serious violence.
Assembly Members unanimously passed a motion asking Transport for London (TfL) to work with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to make the kits available across the capital’s bus network.
Bleed control kits are designed to help stop severe bleeding from deep wounds before emergency services arrive, potentially saving lives in critical situations.
However, the motion is non-binding, meaning Mayor Sadiq Khan is not required to implement the proposal.
Proposal driven by safety concerns
The motion was proposed by Labour transport spokesperson Elly Baker, who said concerns raised by young people about safety on public transport prompted the call.
She said:“I’ve heard too often from young people that they don’t always feel as safe as they should do travelling.
“Passing this motion will show that we are listening to young people and backing the investigation of a potentially valuable method of saving lives.”
The issue was also raised by members of the London Youth Assembly (LYA) during the meeting.
LYA chair Hugo Maxwell said bleed kits are already present in some London Underground stations, but buses should also be included because they are the most commonly used form of public transport for young people.
Maxwell suggested a pilot scheme could be introduced to test the costs and practical challenges of rolling out the kits.
TfL currently has no plans to introduce kits
Despite the Assembly’s support, TfL has said it does not currently plan to install or promote bleed kits.
A TfL spokesperson said current guidance from the NHS suggests standard first aid kits are sufficient for most bleeding injuries.
They added that the use of bleed kits requires proper training and could pose risks if equipment such as tourniquets is used incorrectly.
“The current advice from the NHS is that standard first aid kits are sufficient for the majority of bleeding wounds,” the spokesperson said.
Focus on first aid training
The London Ambulance Service said it prioritises teaching basic first aid skills, including how to control heavy bleeding, often without specialist equipment.
LAS noted that simple pressure using clean materials can often be enough to slow or stop bleeding until medical help arrives.
Supporters of the proposal argue that installing bleed kits across the bus network could improve emergency response in areas affected by serious violence, while critics say training and basic first aid awareness may be more effective.