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SRFAC Updates for Training Centres (061022)

Dear Training Centres,

Click here for PDF version – Updates for Training Centres (061022)

Updates for all Accredited Training Centres (TCs)

Removal of Cap/Limit of Learners in a Class (New)
1. From 1 January 2023, Training Centres (TCs) will no longer need to maintain a cap/limit of learners per class for ALL courses. TCs and the respective course’s Instructors and Chief Instructors are expected to comply with the Instructor-to-Learners ratio for practical hands-on and assessment to ensure that learners have sufficient hands-on and guidance from the assigned instructors. However, a cap/limit on the number of learners per class will still be required based on the following factors:
a. Physical space constraints
b. Cap/limits of learners in a class as imposed by other licensing/regulatory/funding agencies and/or the respective venue/institution management
2. SRFAC will conduct random observation checks to ensure compliance to the Instructor-Learners ratio for practical hands-on and assessment.

Standard and Child First Aid (SFA – CFA) Course Matters (Update)
3. From 1 January 2023, the following will be implemented with no changes to the course duration for Child and Standard First Aid courses (refer to the existing Syllabus Outlines for the course duration).
From 1 January 2023
(To be implemented with the removal of class size limit – see item 1)

Ratio of
1 Instructor : up to 8 practising Learners

Practical Hands-on (manikin not required):

a. Bandaging
b. Tourniquet
c. Epipen
d. Conscious Choking
e. MDI with spacer
f. Recovery Position
g. Transportation of Casualty
Ratio of
1 Instructor : at least 1 Manikin : up to 4 Learners

Practical Hands-on (manikin required):

a. Unconscious Choking
b. CPR with AED
i. CPR (Hands-Only) for Standard First Aid course
ii. CPR (Mouth-To-Mouth)* for Child First Aid course
*The designated mode of CPR is the Mouth-To-Mouth version. CPR with Bag-Valve-Mask is for stand-alone BCLS+AED courses catered for Healthcare Providers.
All practical assessments for the Child and Standard First Aid Courses:
 1 Instructor (assessor) to 1 pair of learners at any one time.
 Recovery Position and Transportation of Casualty are not assessed.
 Assessment of the one-rescuer CPR (Hands-Only for SFA and MTM version for CFA) must be conducted on a manikin conforming to the specific requirements stipulated by SRFAC (https://srfac.sg/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SRFAC-BCLSAED-and-CPRAED-Manikin-Specification.pdf).

Combined Accreditation Audits in a Single Sitting (CFA and SFA Provider Course) (New)
4. SRFAC will allow CFA or SFA courses; and their relevant pre-requisite course (SFA and BCLS+AED for CFA; CPR”Hands-Only”+AED for SFA) to be audited in a single sitting (for renewal audits only).
a. CFA and SFA and BCLS+AED (3 courses’ accreditation audit combined in a single sitting):
i. Combined audit to be conducted within the full CFA course (over 2.5 days according to CFA Syllabus Outline).
ii. Upon successful combined audit of all 3 courses, the accreditation validity of 2 years will be dated/back-dated from the original expiry date of the respective courses. Audit fee of the 3 courses will be payable for the combined audit upon confirmation of auditors for the submitted dates.
iii. Failure of 1 or 2 courses during the combined audit will require subsequent re-audit of the affected course(s) to be conducted on a separate session. Audit fee of the course(s) will be payable for the follow-up re-audit upon confirmation of auditors for the submitted dates.
b. SFA and CPR(Hands-Only)+AED (2 courses’ accreditation audit combined in a single sitting):
i. Combined audit will be conducted within the full SFA Provider course (over 2 days according to SFA Syllabus Outline).
ii. Upon successful combined audit of all 2 courses, the accreditation validity of 2 years will be dated/back-dated from the original expiry date of the respective courses. Audit fee of the 2 courses will be payable for the combined audit upon confirmation of auditors for the submitted dates.
iii. Failure of 1 of the courses during the combined audit will require subsequent re-audit of the affected course to be conducted on a separate session. Audit fee of the course will be payable for the follow-up re-audit upon confirmation of auditors for the submitted dates.

Increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 1 January 2023 (New)
5. In line with the government’s plan to increase the Goods and Services Tax (GST), SRFAC will be implementing the increase in GST for course accreditation audit fees to 8% from 1 January 2023 (S$500 + S$40 = S$540) and, subsequently, to 9% from 1 January 2024 (S$500 + S$45 = S$545). However, the before-mentioned will not affect Institutions/Training Centres under SingHealth due to Group GST Registration.

Audit Admin Matters (Reminder)
6. Kindly email SRFAC (noor.azlin.jumaat@upec.sg, cc loke.jun.hao@upec.sg) and indicate the audit course start and end dates (for courses taking up more than 1 day) and also to inform us that the uploaded audit documents has been submitted. When notified of a match of auditors to the submitted dates, do email us the proof of funds transfer for the payment of accreditation audit fees.

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SRFAC Updates for Training Centres (260822)

Dear Training Centres and Partners,

Click here for PDF version – Updates for Training Centres (260822)

Standard First Aid (SFA) Instructor Proficiency Test (IPT) (Update)

  1. SRFAC has concluded the SFA IPT on 30 June 2022.
  • A total of 198 Instructors attempted the test. 189 instructors (~95%) passed on the first attempt with the remainder (9 instructors) requiring a second attempt to pass.
  • Sections in which the 9 Instructors did not pass on the first attempt were “Simple Anatomy and Physiology” and “SRFAC Guidelines and Criteria”.
  • SFA Instructors who have passed the IPT will have the status “SFA IPT – Completion Date DD/MM/2022” displayed on the SRFAC web directory. There will be no expiry date attached to the status.

Revised Safe Management Measures for All TCs (Update)

  1. As announced by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on 24th August 2022, wearing of masks indoors will be optional from 29th August 2022 (but still mandatory on public transport and within healthcare facilities and residential care homes). For more information, please visit – https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/emerging-safer-and-stronger-together
  1. SRFAC requires all Training Centres to maintain the following safety/hygienic practices:
    • Provision of hand sanitisers and/or hand-washing points.
    • Disinfect/wash hands thoroughly before and after every hands-on practice.
    • Manikins and re-useable training equipment (AED trainers, MDIs, BVMs, Auto-Injector trainers, etc) should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes after each use by a learner.
    • For First Aid courses, sufficient amount of bandages should be issued to the learners for their individual use only and should not be collected by the TC to be re-used for the next batch of learners.
    • Disinfect the training premise and common touch points at the end of each training day/session.

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SRFAC Updates for Training Centres (280322)

Dear Training Centres and Partners,

Click here for PDF version – “Amended – Updates for Training Centres (280322)

Standard First Aid (SFA) Instructor Proficiency Test (IPT) (Update)

As announced on 20th November 2021, existing SFA Instructors (including Chief Instructors) who have been declared to SRFAC (in February 2021) by their Training Centres (TCs) need not enrol for the Standard First Aid Instructor (SFAI) course but will need to pass an Instructor Proficiency Test (IPT) to be registered as SFA instructors. Those who have already completed the SFAI course (or have committed to attend the SFAI course) need not undergo the IPT. The pathways for the respective new and existing SFA instructors are shown below:

 

The IPT will be a one-off exercise and SRFAC aims to have all eligible existing SFA Instructors (including Chief Instructors) declared to SRFAC in Feb 2021 (last year) and complete the IPT before 30th June 2022. It comprises of 50 multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

    1. 10 questions on SRFAC guidelines and criteria
    2. 20 questions on simple Anatomy and Physiology
    3. 20 questions on First Aid Treatment and Interventions

Reference/Preparatory materials (SRFAC Guidelines and Criteria):

    • 2022 SRFAC SFA-CFA TC Guidelines (from SRFAC website)
    • 2020 SRFAC SFA Syllabus Outline (from SRFAC website)

Reference/Preparatory materials (Simple Anatomy and Physiology):

  • Red Cross and St John First Aid Manual (10th Edition 2016) with a focus on the following:

o   Musculo-Skeletal system

o   Integumentary system (skin)

o   Nervous system

o   Circulatory system

o   Respiratory system

Reference/Preparatory materials (First Aid Treatment and Interventions):

  • SRFAC Standard First Aid Manual (R1 – 2020 version)

The initial 8 SFA IPT sessions have been successfully conducted at NYP from 7th to 11th March 2022. The SFA IPT for April 2022 will be conducted over 2 sessions at the Singapore Red Cross Academy (SRCA). The schedule as follows:

IPT Session No. Date Time Available slots
09 16th Apr 2022

(Saturday)

10.30AM 50
10 30th Apr 2022

(Saturday)

10.30AM 50

Passing criteria is to achieve 80% for each of the 3 sections. Candidates are allowed up to 3 attempts. Any re-attempt will be done on a separate day. Actions for failed attempts:

    1. Coaching after every failed attempt by respective nominating/sponsoring TC.
    2. Fail all 3 attempts – retake SFA provider and attend full SFAI course.

SFA TCs may register their previously declared SFA Instructors (including Chief Instructors) with SRFAC directly to secure a slot. We will match the registration to the list provided to SRFAC in Feb 2021 (last year). Send in the application to SRFAC by 1st April 2022 (Friday) – email to loke.jun.hao@upec.sg and noor.azlin.jumaat@upec.sg. Confirmation of slots will be on a first come, first served basis. Please include their mobile number and email address for us to contact them.

Resumption of Child First Aid (CFA) Refresher Course (Update)

Following the implementation of the revised CFA syllabus, and full course registration for all CFA learners from 1st June 2020, SRFAC will allow the enrolment of refresher course for CFA if the individual attended the full CFA course after 1st June 2020. Enrolment for refresher course must be supported by the latest expiring/expired certificate (within 3 months before/after the stated expiry date). The implementation of enrolment for CFA refresher course shall take effect from 1st April 2022.

Revised Safe Management Measures for All TCs (Update)

With immediate effect, TCs need not continue the twice-daily temperature checks or RRT regimes (ART or PET).

TCs are to continue implementing the Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS), in-line with national guidelines.

SRFAC will allow up to 50 learners per class (regardless of healthcare/educational institutions or commercial TCs– Exception applies to CFA and SFA Training Centres. See attached PDF for more details – amended on 31 March 2021)) with effect from 1st April 2022 with the following measures in place:

    1. Maximum of 50 learners are subjected to physical space constraints.
    2. Mask-on at all times (with the exception of Mouth-To-Mouth ventilations for the CPR component of CFA course; and to maintain 1-metre safe distancing when mask is off).
    3. Practical and theory assessment must be conducted on-site and invigilated by TC instructors.
    4. SafeEntry, use of Trace Together mobile application and/or token as well as health declaration.
    5. Provision of hand sanitisers and/or hand-washing points.
    6. Disinfect/wash hands thoroughly before and after every hands-on practice.
    7. Manikins and re-useable training equipment (AED trainers, MDIs, BVMs, Auto-Injector trainers, etc) should be wiped down with disinfectant wipes after each use by a learner.
    8. For First Aid courses, sufficient amount of bandages should be issued to the learners for their individual use only and should not be collected by the TC to be re-used for the next batch of learners.
    9. Disinfect the training premise and common touch points at the end of each training day/session.

(Amended 31 March 2021) SRFAC is aware that it was a common practice for 1 Instructor to take the whole class for bandaging, tourniquet, Epipen, MDI with spacer and choking modules. The move to enforce a fixed practical training ratio is to allow First Aid learners to be accorded coaching by a dedicated instructor with more hands-on time for the above-mentioned practical components, similar to how CPR+AED is to be taught and assessed. This will also reduce waiting time for hands-on practice and testing.

SRFAC will allow existing practices (for SFA and CFA only) to continue until 30th September 2022 to allow time to transit to the new practical training ratio.

Up till 30th September 2022

From 1st October 2022
Class size capped at 16 learners

Class size capped at 50 learners

1 instructor can take up the whole class of up to 16 learners for the following hands-on practice:

  1. Bandaging
  2. Tourniquet
  3. Epipen
  4. MDI with spacer
  5. Recovery Position
  6. Transportation of Casualty

Instructor to learner ratio of 1:8

 

Hands-on practice and testing:

 

  1. Bandaging
  2. Tourniquet
  3. Epipen
  4. MDI with spacer
  5. Recovery Position (not tested)
  6. Transportation of Casualty (not tested)

Instructor to learner ratio of 1:4

 

Hands-on practice and testing:

  1. Conscious and Unconscious Choking
  2. CPR with AED
1 instructor can take up to 4 learners for the following hands-on practice:

  1. Conscious and Unconscious Choking
  2. CPR with AED
1 instructor can take up to 4 learners for the following practical testing:

  1. Bandaging
  2. Tourniquet
  3. Epipen
  4. MDI with spacer
  5. Conscious and Unconscious Choking
  6. CPR with AED

SFA

CFA SFA CFA
Full Refresher Full Refresher Full Refresher Full

Refresher

Theory: 6hrs

Hands-on: 6hrs

Practical test: 3.5hrs

Theory test: 0.5hr

Total: 16hrs

Theory: 2hrs

Hands-on: 6hrs

Practical test: 3.5hrs

Theory test: 0.5hr

Total: 12hrs

Theory: 7hrs

Hands-on: 8hrs

Practical test: 4hrs

Theory test: 1hr

Total: 20hrs

Theory: 3hrs

Hands-on: 8hrs

Practical test: 4hrs

Theory test: 1hr

Total: 16hrs

TBC TBC TBC

TBC

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