Tesco’s big supermarket change that could save the lives of its customers

Tesco has announced another shake up to its UK stores to supposedly save tens-of-thousands of shoppers’ lives.

The major change happening in every single supermarket in the UK is similar to those made by Royal Mail and Travelodge. The supermarket giant will be encouraging all of its 300,000 UK staff to learn CPR, and is the first grocer to roll out the RevivR tool to its colleagues.

Royal Mail has already promoted the tool to its staff through its digital channels, on posters in 200 of its sites, and through features in its in-house magazine, Courier. The National Defibrillator Network is seen as an important link in the chain of survival, along with Tesco’s over 2,500 defibrillators, which are currently being registered on The Circuit.

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The Communication Workers Union (CWU), has also engaged its members directly, the MEN reports, encouraging them and their families to take the training. With a presence in communities across the UK, the aim is for postmen and postwomen to achieve a basic understanding of CPR, should they encounter a member of the public in need of immediate CPR assistance.

BHF Chief executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said: “Our BHF team were determined to do more to help save lives after watching Christian Eriksen’s collapse last year, knowing the sad reality is that today less than one in ten people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK. RevivR is a really easy way to learn a lifesaving skill – all you need is your mobile phone and a firm cushion. In just 15 minutes you learn how to recognise a cardiac arrest, with personalised feedback to build confidence in CPR and using a defibrillator.

“The support our brilliant partners have given RevivR has been invaluable and will help save lives. The Travelodge, Tesco and Royal Mail teams are helping us make sure even more people have the skills they need to save a life. Far too many of us will witness a cardiac arrest in our lifetime, and it could happen to someone you love. Take the few minutes to learn or brush up your skills. It could help you save a life.”

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “Tesco has been fundraising for the British Heart Foundation since 2015, and as part of our broader partnership it has been wonderful to offer our support as a pilot partner for RevivR. It was the natural extension to the installation of defibrillators and uploading of them to the Circuit. Tesco colleagues have really enjoyed learning CPR through the RevivR training tool. We are only too pleased to help increase awareness of this vital life-saving skill.”

Tom Edwards, Travelodge Chief Revenue Officer and Charity Sponsor, said: “The British Heart Foundation has been our staff nominated charity since 2017 and we are delighted to be the UK’s first hotel brand to support the charity’s RevivR app launch. Our nationwide staff trials, which include our Executive Operating Board members, have been extremely successful and have built great momentum across the business.This summer, we will further support this great lifesaving initiative by raising awareness of the importance of CPR to over 10,000 colleagues and to our nationwide customer base, which includes millions of business and leisure travellers.”

James Cannon, Royal Mail, SHE Control Systems Manager, said: “Royal Mail is pleased to support the development of the RevivR app with the British Heart Foundation. The feedback has been excellent due to its simplicity and interactive elements. We have used it as a way of extending our existing first aid provision with the aim for all staff to have basic CPR skills and, where we can, to be in a position to offer support to members of the public in an emergency situation. The app has been shared with our first aider population – for their use as a refresher and so that they become champions – and it is frequently promoted across our numerous communication channels and networks to encourage increased use.”

People are now urging other major supermarkets to do the same.