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Message in a bottle

Message in a bottle

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The ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme helps you to keep your personal and medical information in a place where it can easily be found in an emergency – your fridge.

Having this information to hand will help the paramedics treating you and could make all the difference in a life-threatening situation.

How does it work?

The Message in a Bottle kit includes a form to complete that you put inside the bottle and keep in your fridge – ideally in the door to allow it to be found quickly in an emergency.

Two stickers are also provided to let paramedics know about the bottle. One should be stuck on your fridge door, and the other inside your front door. If you don’t want a sticker on your fridge, put the other sticker close to your back door.

Filling in the form

You should fill the form in with the following information:

  • Your name and details of any allergies
  • The name, address and contact number for your doctor
  • A brief description of any medical conditions you have or medication you take
  • The contact information for two emergency contacts
  • If you are a carer, the details of the person you are a carer for
  • A copy of your repeat prescription list if you have one.

Who can get a bottle?

The scheme is free and open to anyone in the community. However, it’s particularly suitable for vulnerable people who find it difficult to recall information or communicate with emergency staff, such as people living with dementia or learning difficulties, or people whose first language isn’t English.

Where can I get a bottle?

The bottles are supplied by the Lion’s Club International to health centres, GP surgeries and chemists, local Lions clubs, Neighbourhood Watch, Age Concern and housing associations.

Bottles are also being distributed via ambulance crews and at public events across the region.

Find out more at the Lion’s Club website

Stroke – Act F.A.S.T.

Stroke – Act F.A.S.T.

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You could save your own or someone else’s life, or help limit the long-term effects of stroke, by learning to think and Act F.A.S.T. F.A.S.T. or Face-Arms-Speech-Time is easy to remember and will help you to recognise if you or someone else is having a stroke.

 

Face – Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?

Arms – Can they raise both arms and keep them there?

Speech  – Is their speech slurred?

Time to call 999 if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke.

 

There are also other symptoms that may occasionally be due to stroke. They include:

  • Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes
  • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including your leg)
  • Sudden memory loss or confusion
  • Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other symptoms

Why Act F.A.S.T?

If you notice any single one of the signs of stroke, call 999. The faster you act, the better the chance of recovery. Find out more from NHS Choices.