Cameron speech 'misled public'
Thursday, 2 October 2008 12:00 AM
David Cameron faces criticism for misleading the public in his speech to the Conservative party conference yesterday.
In one of his speech's most impassioned sections Mr Cameron claimed teachers are not permitted to put a plaster on a child who has grazed his or her knee without a first aid officer being present.
He attacked Labour's "health and safety human rights culture" for having "infected every part of our life", adding: "Teachers can't put a plaster on a child's grazed knee without calling a first aid officer."
This, according to the Health and Safety Executive, is a "myth" which causes "hassle and worry" to parents and teachers.
It has set up a page on its website to help fight the myth, which states: "We've often heard of teachers, volunteers and carers being told to ask parents for permission, or even requiring parents to drive over and put the plaster on themselves.
"This persistent myth causes a lot of unnecessary hassle and worry."
It says there is no rule against a responsible adult putting a plaster on a child's minor cut, leading Green party deputy leader Adrian Ramsay to criticise the Tory leader's rhetoric.
"For the sake of a cheap political point, David Cameron has deliberately added to the confusion over first aid and children," he commented.
"This is a favourite Tory myth that may seem fun at party conference but can adversely affect the standard of care injured children receive out in the real world."
He added: "This kind of petty irresponsibility is totally inappropriate for a senior politician. If he won't even tell the truth about a plaster, how could we trust him with the health service?"
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