Emergency card held by 1,000 carers
Released: Monday, 28 January 2008
A special card which aims to give carers support in an emergency is now held by more than 1,000 carers in the city.
The Emergency Card was launched by Wolverhampton City Council’s Carer Support Team and gives carers peace of mind that, if they suffer an accident or emergency, the person they care for will continue to receive support.
The scheme is open to all carers in Wolverhampton and is free to join.
Brenda Stafford, acting manager of the Carer Support Team, said: “The Emergency Card was set up to ease carers' fears about what would happen to the person they look after if they were suddenly taken ill, or they were involved in an accident or emergency and were unable to support someone who depends on them.
The card, about the size of a credit card, has a unique number on it and tells members of the emergency services to contact staff at the council's Emergency Control Centre.
They, in turn, will ensure that temporary care is arranged for the person the cardholder cares for while they are unable to do it themselves.
Brenda added: “When they find the card, the paramedics, police or hospital staff will ring our 24-hour control centre and quote the serial number.
“The control centre will then take the appropriate action to contact relatives or Adult Social Care, so they can make sure support still continues for the person they care for”.
Councillor Geoff Foster, Cabinet Members for Adults, said: “We now have more than 1,000 cardholders and the scheme has proved very successful.
“It has brought peace of mind to so many of our carers and I would urge others who haven’t already signed up to do so”, he added.
To find out more about the card, call the Carer Support Team on 01902 553409 or email carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Issued by the press office.