For a fee of from £19.95, MedicAlert will register patients and issue them with an emblem, such as a bracelet or necklace. An annual fee of £25 then ensures details are kept up to date and gives the continued backup of the 24-hour emergency telephone bureau. The emblem carries the internationally recognised MedicAlert symbol and is engraved on the reverse with the member's condition, personal identification number, and their 24-hour emergency telephone number. If you rely on drugs, have allergies etc, this service could make a real difference if you are involved in an accident, particularly if you are unconscious.

MedicAlert has over 240,000 members and is the only Registered Charity providing life-saving ID jewellery and a 24-hour emergency line.  For more information, call them on freephone 0800 581420 or visit their comprehensive website at www.medicalert.org.uk. 

If you take hydrocortisone, the following text is generally acceptable to be used on your emblem: "HYPOPITUITARISM ON STEROID REPLACEMENT” or “STEROID DEPENDANT - HYDROCORTISONE” .  We do advise that individual patients should discuss this with their own Endocrinologist, as you may also need details of any other deficiencies or problems.

(Is your emblem out of date? It might be worth checking that the 24-hour emergency telephone line number, engraved on the back of your emblem is not out of date.  When the London telephone numbers changed, MedicAlert updated all their emblems for free but not everyone applied for this update.  If it bears the old 0171 number, then you should contact MedicAlert.)

System for keeping a secure on-line record of your medication and any other information relevant to an emergency situation.

Once you have completed the sign up process, you will be assigned your own unique identification number, together with a secret password of your choice, allowing you to enter any information you want onto your very own personal register. For £11.99 per year, you can have full registration and constant, 24hr per day access to your information display page.

You will automatically receive a plastic credit card style "Emergency Details" alert card to prominently display in your purse or wallet. This card will carry your photograph for quick identification and your personal identification number that health professionals will use to access your details.

For greater visibility you can purchase a quality "Medical Alert" pendant clearly engraved with your personal identification number and instructions.  Eight styles of jewellery are available, including a photo engraved option, starting at £16.99

For more information, please click here to visit their web site.

Each Medi-Tag product is available with the option to subscribe to an International 24 Hour Emergency Telephone Service, operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. In the event of an emergency, this Service allows medical professionals to obtain the Medi-Tag wearer's vital details from anywhere in the world with good telephone communications, at anytime.

For more information, telephone 0121 200 1616 or visit their website at www.hoopers.org/meditag.asp.

The Press Don't Panic® audio button is one of the most advanced forms of medical ID available on the market. It is a small, highly visible, clearly medical, audio device which communicates vital information in a medical emergency - at the press of a button.

The device allows the wearer to record a personal message containing emergency procedure and/or essential medical information, in any language. This can then be played back whenever the wearer requires assistance. Playback can be initiated by the wearer or by those offering assistance.

For more information, telephone 01721 730 311 or visit their website at www.pressdontpanic.com

The SOS Talisman provides vital information about the wearer in case of an accident of illness. Information, such as medical conditions and prescribed medication, blood group and who to contact in an emergency, is detailed on an information strip of non-soluble paper that is securely contained in the SOS Talisman capsule. The information is available for on-the-spot identification.

The information strip headings are in six different languages and the SOS Talisman symbol is recognised by emergency staff, both in the UK and abroad. The SOS Talisman capsule is water-tight and heat resistant so the information is protected at all times.

For more information, telephone 0141 639 7090 or visit their website at www.medical-bracelets.co.uk

Universal Medical ID features custom-engraved medical indentification bracelets and necklaces. Information about medical conditions, drug and food allergies, prescribed medication and emergency contacts can be engraved onto your chosen identification jewellery item.

Starting from £19.95, jewellery is available in stainless steel, silver, gold and titanium. There is no annual membership required.

For further information, telephone 0800 055 6504 or visit their website at: www.universalmedicalid.co.uk

UTAG utilises the latest USB electronic data storage, in a style that is highly visible. It clearly displays the international medical symbol (the snake and staff) and the letters "ICE" (an acronym for "In Case of Emergency" recognised by Emergency Services). Options include dogtags, sports bracelets and a credit card-sized emergency card - prices start from £24.99

But UTAG is for more than just medical emergencies. The addition of a "Private Folder" means that the wearer of the UTAG now has the ability to carry vital documents such as passport, driving licence, insurance etc. in a secure way. It utilises encryption technology that means any files saved can only be accessed using the owner's own personally chosen password.

When travelling abroad, the UTAG wearer can have the comfort of having any emergency information available in any of 7 European languages and hold secure copies of essential documentation. Why wouldn't you have one?

For more information, telephone 0845 872 3202 or visit their website

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