News & Updates

Background
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is responsible for the production of the International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR). ILCOR establishes the scientific evidence base that underpins guidance and creates treatment recommendations, which is subsequently used by member organisations to develop guidelines.

• The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines are based on the ILCOR CoSTR
• The Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) guidelines are distilled from the ERC guidelines and provide healthcare professionals and laypeople with evidence-based clinical pathways for all patient groups (adults, children, newborn) and all settings
• RCUK guidelines are updated every 5 years in line with the release of ERC Guidelines.

Timescales
The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) will be launching the ERC Resuscitation Guidelines 2025 today (Wednesday 22nd October)

• The Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) Guidelines 2025 will be published on Monday 27th October
• Helen Done, Qualifications and Business Development Manager at Safety Training Awards will be attending the RCUK Guidelines 2025 conference on 24th and 25th November where we will gain exclusive insights into the latest RCUK Guidelines 2025 and their impact
• Following the above, STA will update members accordingly.

Impact

• STA will inform ATCs, tutors and IQAs of any technical updates accordingly as soon as the guidelines have been fully interpreted
• There will be no immediate changes to STA first aid and lifesaving qualification learning outcomes and assessment criteria
• The First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum (FAAOF), of which STA are members, will review the first aid qualification learning outcomes and assessment criteria based on the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) 2025

Guidelines in early December

• STA will then determine if any updates are required to first aid and lifesaving qualifications
• If updates are required, STA will update any affected qualifications and resources accordingly. There will be a transition period (which has historically been 12 months); therefore, all current first aid and lifesaving qualifications and resources will still be fit for purpose during the transition period.

STA will provide further information, including confirmation of any changes and timescales, once confirmed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.