The MedicAlert Foundation has launched a project with North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust to provide a potentially life-saving service to its staff and volunteers.
From this month (November 2021), MedicAlert will provide three years’ free membership as well as a medical ID to any North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust staff living with a medical condition.
As the pioneer of medical ID services in the UK, and the only charity providing such services, MedicAlert is recommended by the NHS. The service ensures that, in an emergency, those caring for an individual have access to vital medical information. This includes conditions, allergies, medications, emergency contacts and scanned medical documents.
As every second counts in an emergency, the most vital information is engraved on the individual’s medical ID. Their full medical record is then available 24/7, worldwide, in over 100 languages and dialects. Those treating the individual can rely on the information available thanks to checks made by the charity’s dedicated team of Registered Nurses. At the creation or amendment of a record, the nurses check for errors and omissions, as well as prioritising the information for use in emergencies.
The project – which is fully funded by MedicAlert – is one of the first of its kind in the UK.
Dr Buki Adeyemo, Executive Director at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Health and wellbeing is important to us as a Trust – supporting our staff and service users living with a medical condition by providing access to a potentially life-saving service is something we are very excited to be part of. Our collaboration with MedicAlert will allow an opportunity to not only access the membership but it will also provide valuable training and insights into the use of MedicAlert in an emergency. We would like to thank MedicAlert for this fantastic opportunity and we look forward to working with them”
Kirsten Giles, CEO of MedicAlert, said: “We are really excited for this project with North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust – it is so important to us, as a charity, to look after those who spend every day looking after us. After the last 18 months, it is more important than ever to thank and protect those working in healthcare. We’ve been providing peace of mind every day to our tens of thousands of members for over 57 years, as well as to their loved ones, and the desire to support more individuals in need of our service has never let up. We are hoping to be able to partner with organisations across the UK in order to support more NHS Trusts through similar projects.”
MedicAlert is looking to support further Trusts with the help of corporate sponsors, as a thank you to NHS staff for all they do for the general public. If you feel your organisation could sponsor a Trust or you would like your Trust considered for a similar project, please contact MedicAlert’s Business Development Manager, Phil Atkins, at patkins@medicalert.org.uk.