I am looking to gather any examples of good practice in terms of company first aider personnel using thier own car to transport an ill colleague to hospital (possibly home) where the emergency services are not required. I appreciate every organisation may have a different approach i.e. location/environment, type of work organisation does, first aiders do not use own car/company car provided, own car can be used provided business insurance in place, organisation has an account with local taxi company, other staff member to drive own car/company car and first aider accompany ill colleague in case of difficulties on-route etc. There may be examples of good practice concerning this issue that would be beneficial to know before I decide on my organisation's policy approach. Thank you.

I think I read this one right, you are concerned about first aiders using thier car to transport someone to hospital or home when they are unwell, am I reading this right? If so what is the problem, you simply need to check the person who is driving has suitable insurance cover for using the vehicle for business purposes. As for ensuring the vehicles was back in time for the 'owner' to drive home is it not a case of hard luck if the vehicle is a bit late getting back and if it is so late then try and get some other vehicle for them, the problem will not last more than a few hours anyway.

Just a quick thought, the first aider cannot give first aid whilst driving if the IP becomes unwell on the journey. Would be advisable to have a nominated driver to drive the IP and first aider to the hospital or home as necessary.

We had to stop use the of own vehicles to transport people to hospital due to insurance reasons i.e we weren't covered. However we have 2 pool cars, an engineering van and some company cars that we say should be used. If none of those are available then we have an account set up with a local taxi company.

This is a reply to a similar question with a few points to consider: Have had this raised a few times on FA@W courses - answer has always come back no legal requirement, the general concensus was that if it was an injury that required a check at A&E the prudent options were: Call for an ambulance - Normally severe cuts (even if bleeding is controlled due to risk of shock), breaks, sprains (as first aiders have been known to miss a break as a sprain) this would also include problems wih limb mobility (an ambulance has more space to rest 'stuck' limbs), chest pains, problems with breathing - talking from personal experience trying to do resus in the back of a car is an absolute pig of a job, if the casualty has lost conciousness (even if they regain it get the ambulance out just in case) Car with first aider - for minor injuries only, thing to be aware of most car policies only cover social, domestic and pleasure and commuting to and from work. Insurance companies being what they are and looking to not pay up will tend to hit the driver under 1 of 2 clauses - transporting a colleague to hospital is classes as in connection with work i.e. using the vehicle for work and or using the vehicle as a private ambulance. Many insurers I've spoken to have said verbally that it would be ok but with the cases I've dealt with it's amazing how quickly they change thier minds - would not trust the verbal word of an insurance company - always get it in writing before hand or use a taxi. I know I sound pessamistic about insurers but have had a fair chunk of experience with this scenario and whilst the person at the call centre will give a verbal ok, I've come across too many cases where after the fact the insurers have changed thier mind and backed away from it all.

Seems to me that it may be a case of let a paramedic make an assessment. Unless a small cut etc then, and if no blood is going to drip onto the seats, I guess all is well. But, and a big BUT here, most first aid folks are just that. A bad call with a broken arm could lead to internal bleeds etc and then all hell would, and should, be let loose.

We changed insurers to one which allows staff to use their own car to transport pupils/employees to hospital. We obviously have some decent guidelines as to when this would be considered appropriate - no life threatening, no significant bleeding etc.

I specify in our First Aid policy that the First Aider and patient sit in the back seats of the vehicle and a third person drives to A&E. This is because the First Aid Risk Assessment has identified that if the injured or unwell persons condition deteriorates on route, (vomit, pass out etc) they can be treated / looked after by the First Aider in the back seats with minimal distraction to the driver. Where as if they were in the front passenger seat with the First Aider driving, it’s much more difficult to deal with and there’s the potential for causing a road accident through distraction.