Given we had an EXCELLENT rapport with Certain memebrs of HSE, why has this stopped?

Does Ian think we smell now, or has the HSe chucked their dummy out the pram?

Posted by scottydog

I accept your views, Jackie, though they are just that!

You try not being frustrated when HSe are less that helpful when your business is potentially on the line because HSe are opening the market to the big guns, you might see things from my point.

Especially when your mortgage is on the line, as well as a bank loan to assist your business develop!

Are we not allowed a view now, or is it as long as it flatters HSe?

Posted by scottydog

I agree with Jackie fully on her comments!

Yes of course we are all entitled to our opinion and there is no problem sharing that with others but when the postings include the 2 quotes as mentioned by Jackie that is not an opinion it could be seen as abusive HSE are not the SS, regardless of us being happy or unhappy with them!
And in reality nobody is really going to sue anybody so why claim it!!!

As Ratty suggests we are all entitled to our opinion but when that starts to cost us the input of valued members of this site it becomes a tad annoying.

Posted by debs

Hi Scottydog,

I don’t wish to attempt to teach anyone how to suck eggs, but it appears you are missing some salient points.

FAAMS stands for First Aid Approvals and Monitoring Section- their job is to approve and monitor the training organisations that deliver First Aid at Work training courses for the purposes of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. They are not interested in training organisations that are not approved.

It follows that, as you are not an approved organisation, that they neither approved you nor wish to monitor you. They are not interested in first aid training other than FAW.

Regional co coordinators are the voice of the approved training organisations in their area. It is a voluntary role and they are under no obligation to represent you.

I have paid £800 plus for approval and £300 plus for monitoring visits, I have never had a problem with FAAMS and always found them most helpful, in fact I actually would prefer if FAAMS continued to carry out the approvals and monitoring.

You no doubt obtained your franchise for a sum I would guess substantially less than I paid for approval. If you buy a brand new car from a main dealer you can expect better after sales care than if you buy a clapped out old banger off ebay. I believe you are barking up the wrong tree with the HSE (please excuse the pun!), you should be speaking to the people with whom you franchise.

regards

Jackie


Posted by jackie

Jackie.

Thansk for your lesson on who FAAMS are and their role. I have been teaching first aid for many years and allready knew this!

Perhaps then, it is fair to assume from your posts, FAAMS should not talk to others for whom the FAW changes will have a major effrect upon.

Whilst I am just a fraqnchise holder, regardless of cost, I am not entitled to enquire when, if ever HSe will get their finger out and decide what, how and when changes will happen.

If HSe prove to me I will not waste good money, I will become approved. Until then, why should I pay a great deal of money for nothing.

It seems poor deal then to suggest that, as a non approved supplier of training I should not be free to ask questions that may assist me in deliberations affecting my business and the lives of my staff. If I make a mistake, cannot afford to run my business then staff will be without jobs, I will not have a house and Mrs Dog will be on the streets earning money!

Freedom to run my business with as much information as I can get to allow me to make judgements is all I ask.

I was not aware that it was an exclusive club.

Is this then not barriers to my running a business like everyone else?

I get great assistance from the awarding bodies I am registered with for my other courses and cannot see why I cannot ask questions, and comment when this service is found wanting. Indeed do I not pay taxes which fund the activities of HSe?

I understand this Government sees little future for FAAMS, which I personally feel Tony boy has it very wrong.... The HSe are wrong to farm this out to FWC, have they not got a vested interest in keeping first aid amongst the big boys.

Perhaps my views are too extreme and therefore I shall not post another note regarding this matter, and feel ashamed that members of this site cannot state views, regardless if liked or not.

It seems yet again that Franchise holders have no real say in an industry we are part of, it seems to be us and them,15% of 104 responders to the question regarding who we are, FAW approved or frnachise holders ahve no say? yet you approved providers make it so.......prove me wrong otherwise, you have the ear of HSe, the likes of me don`t..... though we franchise holders make up the biggest numbers via our links with NUCO, and such likes.

Posted by scottydog

Yet again this site reverts to personal attacks.

Please bring this important topic back on track and accept that, as stated, everyone has an opinion.

Obviously an individuals opinion will revolve around themselves. For example I do not deliver approved courses, nor will I ever need to. Therefore I don't care what system the HSE puts into place. I also accept that the job of the HSE is difficult and they cannot please everyone.

That said, it does not mean that I am unsympathetic to the smaller trainers who are severely affected by these changes. Nor am I supportive of the larger organisations who may be playing a political game.

Everyone has an opinion, let them put it and don't take it personally.

Posted by sjgarth

I am not sure that the HSE are against us, because surely they are us. However I do believe once they disband/change and allow different interest groups ie the very large companies to dictate policy then perhaps smaller companies and individuals are likely to get the short end of the stick. Personally I like Ian Kershaw he has always been very kind and helpful to me, but as for what replaces him I am not so sure. As I already said now is the time for us in AOFA and the independents to stick together, not start fighting. Lets get it together now everyone, in unity there is strength.

Posted by stormer

Scotty dog, I assume the strike through was a typing error and so have removed it. If you wish it to be replaced, please let me know.

Posted by sjgarth

Maybe the HSE pulled out from this site so that it did not seem like favouritism?

There are other first aid sites on the web, and the HSE would have to provide input to them all if it was to be fair.

I personally was surprised that they did give an input at all.

Posted by sjgarth