Injury Minimization Programme for Schools.

Abstract

This article outlines an accident prevention programme for children, formulated by a project team at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK. The project, namely the Injury Minimization Programme for Schools (IMPS), was conceived and designed by a multi disciplinary team and has recently completed its pilot phase. The article describes the aims and objectives of the project, and identifies to the reader the processes and methodology used in its establishment. The IMPS project is aimed at 10-11 year olds, and follows a three phase programme which includes a school based education package focusing on various safety skills, and a hospital based course where the children are taught injury minimization techniques and the principles of basic life support. The final phase of the pilot project is an ongoing evaluation phase. The article concludes by summarising the need for such a project, and gives a brief synopsis of future plans.