David Barratt MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament in support of the Pauline’s Law campaign.
The campaign was started by Suzzi Young from Hill of Beath, after her mother, Pauline Sweeney, passed away in Dobbies in Stirling last year.
The 64-year-old had suffered from various health issues throughout her life, but her sudden death was a complete shock to the family.
She had been in Dobbies with her husband, George, and son Michael, when they thought Pauline was about to take a seizure.
They tried to get her over to a chair, but Pauline’s legs gave way.
Suzzi previously said: “It was a member of staff that noticed a quick change in the colour of my mum’s face and she called for someone to get a defibrillator and someone else phoned for an ambulance.
“From there, it escalated.”
Several members of staff at Dobbies started to perform CPR and they also put a message out on the tannoy for any members of the public with medical or first aid knowledge to come forward.
Tragically, Pauline passed away despite everyone’s “amazing” efforts to save her.
Now, Suzzi is campaigning to make sure that every young person leaves school with an emergency first aid qualification under Pauline’s Law.
She explained: “Some schools actually already offer this opportunity to their students.
“But one of the things that I’ve learned from looking into all of this is that, although there is a lot of fantastic work being done, and they’re always trying to improve it, not all schools have access to the same things.
“It would mean that it’s a way of strengthening the first aid provisions that are already in place, but also standardising them so that all schools in Scotland are given the same access, so that all school leavers have the same level of understanding and knowledge.”
David Barratt, MSP for Cowdenbeath and councillor for the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay ward, met with Suzzi recently to discuss the campaign.
He said: “I’ve now lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament in support of the campaign and its aim of giving every young person the opportunity to gain a recognised emergency first aid qualification before leaving school.
“Knowing how to perform CPR, use a defibrillator or respond to someone who is choking or seriously injured can make the difference between life and death.
“There is already excellent work taking place across Scotland to give young people these skills.
“Pauline’s Law is about making sure that opportunity is available consistently, regardless of where a young person lives or goes to school.
“I’m pleased to be supporting Suzzi and the Pauline’s Law campaign in Parliament, and hope MSPs from across the chamber will support the motion.”
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