Shrewsbury Safer Nights project to launch this weekend

A minor injury treatment unit is being set up in Shrewsbury over Christmas and New Year to help people who find themselves in a vulnerable state during a night out. 

The treatment centre is being launched on Saturday 1 December 2012, and will be located in the car park opposite Montgomery Towers.  The centre will open from 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, and will provide medical treatment and advice to revellers throughout the festive season. 

The multi-agency ‘Shrewsbury Safer Nights’ project is initiated and supported by Shropshire’s Safer Stronger Communities Partnership, and is being led by the Shropshire’s drug and alcohol action team in partnership with St John Ambulance, Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police and Shrewsbury Street Pastors. 

Leading first aid charity St John Ambulance will provide the treatment centre, two first aiders, an ambulance and crew, nurse and paramedic.  Aquarius, who deliver the Alcohol Care Planning and Alcohol Hospital Liaison Service in Shropshire, will make available literature and information on the harms associated with alcohol misuse, and provide access to a free and confidential counselling service for people concerned about alcohol issues. 

Glen Curry, Regional Events Manager for St John Ambulance, said:

“St John Ambulance is always pleased to work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the public can have fun safely.  We have a team of highly-trained first aiders, nurses and paramedics who will be volunteering their services to support party goers or anyone who requires first aid support in the town centre streets during the busy festive period.  Having this centre available means people can get treatment quickly, which could be the difference between a life lost and a life saved in an emergency.” 

It is also hoped that the project will help reduce A&E admissions during the busy festive period. 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection, said;

‘We know in the run up to Christmas there is particular concern about the extra pressure on our emergency services.  This is the first year we are running this project with our partners and we hope it will have a positive impact on ambulance services and NHS resources by reducing the number of people accessing these services. 

“We want to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe night out during the festive season.  This new initiative will create a safe haven for Friday and Saturday partygoers in Shrewsbury, offering medical treatment, advice and guidance to anyone needing help.” 

Anyone requiring further information about the Shrewsbury Safer Nights project can telephone 01743 277538.  Aquarius can be contacted on 0300 45 64 299 or by emailing shropshire@aquarius.org.uk.

Further information 

• As the nation’s leading first aid charity, St John Ambulance believes that nobody should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it.  Yet every year, up to 140,000* people die in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live.  St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so that they can be the difference.
• * In England and Wales, using Office of National Statistics death registration data, 2010.  Up to 140,000 die each year in situations where first aid could have given them a chance to live. For cancer, 138,000 people die each year.