In the event of a medical emergency or an accident, identification emblems can provide essential information about hidden medical conditions. Companies providing internationally recognised identification emblems include:

• MedicAlert Foundation
  
• Medi-Tag
  
• SOS Talisman
  

Patients on steroids should also ask their consultant whether it is appropriate for them to carry a Blue Steroid Card.

MedicAlert Foundation

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 £10 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 is a registered charity with over 209,000 members. For more information, call them on freephone 0800 581420 or visit their website at www.medicalert.org.uk.

A news alert to all MedicAlert Users from your Endocrine Nurse

There may be members (and indeed any patients) who wear MedicAlert emblems whose healthcare in an emergency situation could be severely compromised due to the fact that the 24-hour emergency telephone line number, engraved on the back of the emblem, MAY BE INCORRECT. An explanatory article requested has been supplied by the MedicAlert Foundation, and it offers the following advice and guidance as to what urgent action should be taken if your emblem is outdated.

“MedicAlert in partnership with the Pituitary Foundation are asking all of you who are members to check your Emblem. If it bears the old 0171 number, please contact us immediately on freephone 0800 581 420 – there is no charge for up-dating your Emblem. Please help us to ensure that your lives are being protected.”

In addition to these instructions we ask those who care for elderly friends and relatives who may be cognitively or visually impaired, to check the details engraved on their MedicAlert emblems and if appropriate follow the instructions supplied by the MedicAlert Foundation.

MedicAlert have written to all of their members to ask them to update their emblem but there are still some members out there who have not responded.

Pat Henderson

Medi-Tag

The Medi-Tag range is suitable for people of all ages and has been specially designed for people with hidden medical conditions. In the event of a medical emergency or an accident, the Medi-Tag can provide vital information to medical professionals, thereby assisting diagnosis, speeding up treatment and helping to save lives. The symbol used on each Medi-Tag product is acknowledged by medical professionals throughout the world.

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.medi-tag.co.uk.

SOS Talisman

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 http://www.medical-bracelets.co.uk

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http://www.justgiving.com/pituitary/donate/ 

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