Laws inhibit people from administering first aide says minister

Evarist Bartolo said it is time for a discussion about changing the laws to protect those giving first aid

Education minister Evarist Bartolo
Education minister Evarist Bartolo

Education minister Evarist Bartolo has said that it might be time for the country to consider amending laws to protect first aiders from being sued by the person they have tried to save.

The minister was responding to a parliamentary question about the current policy regarding first aid in schools

“In more serious cases there are first aiders in schools that are trained to administer or use epipens, inhalers, rectal suppositories and AEDs. In addition to this, a number of teachers have been given the opportunity to undergo first aid training in July and September. In cases where a student needs to go to hospital, the first-aider accompanies them,” he said.

Bartolo pointed out however that the ministry cannot legally oblige teachers to administer first aid, and in many cases, many prefer not to.

“Sometimes teachers will say they do not want to take this sort of responsibility,” he said. “I am informed that legally speaking, someone administering first aid is not protected.”