RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

March 28, 2006
NEW MISSION TO STOP CHILDREN’S ACCIDENTS IN SCOTLAND

A massive fact-finding mission is taking place this week to discover ways to cut the number of children killed and injured in accidents in Scotland.

It will provide the groundwork for Scotland’s Child Safety Action Plan, which is seen as a vital step in influencing decision makers to step up the war on accidents.

Experts from a variety of different organisations including road safety officers, home safety officers, public health officials, doctors, nurses and members of the emergency services will be meeting in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow to pool ideas.

Elizabeth Lumsden of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Scotland said: “Accidental injury is the biggest killer of children in Scotland and each year more than 50,000 children seek medical attention at A&E departments because of accidents.

“This week’s consultation events are a fantastic opportunity to bring everyone together so that we know that when the plan is finalised we will be speaking with one voice.

“RoSPA is working with the Child Accident Prevention Trust on the project. The plan should ensure that the best use is made of the limited resources for accident prevention and will avoid duplication of effort when preparing new schemes.

“But just as importantly, it will give us greater influence when talking to Government ministers and other policy makers about the need for more support.”

As well as being backed by the European Commission, funding has come from Health Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow, the Scottish Accident Prevention Council and the European Child Safety Alliance.

The plan will stand alone for Scotland, but will also be combined with those from other Continental countries to form a European Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan.

The consultation meetings are being held at the Orwell Lodge Hotel, Edinburgh, on Tuesday, March 28, the Town and County Hall, Aberdeen, on Wednesday, March 29, and the Trades Hall, Glasgow, on Thursday, March 30.

It is estimated that as well as more than 40 under-15-year-olds being killed in accidents in Scotland each year, over 50,000 go to hospital after accidents and 10,100 are admitted.