Carers’ Emergency / Alert Card Scheme

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• Carers’ Emergency / Alert Card Scheme

Alert Cards have been produced for carers to carry with them (we suggest in their purse or wallet), to raise awareness that there is someone who is dependent on them and therefore could be vulnerable if something were to happen to the carer. The card aims to:

• give the carer confidence and reassurance that if they were involved in an accident, the person they care for would be looked after
• activate services / support quickly to avoid / reduce the risk of deterioration or crisis to the vulnerable person

The scheme is for family and friends looking after someone who lives in the borough, who could not manage without help and would be at risk if the carer was unable to get back to look after them.

There is a two-sided form for the carer to complete and return to

Carers’ Development Officer

Hollyfield House
22 Hollyfield Road
Surbiton
Surrey

KT5 9AL

Once registered, the carer will receive their Emergency Alert Card by post.

The emergency services, finding the card in the carer’s purse or wallet, contact the Call Centre (a 24hour service run by Kingston and Richmond Careline) who will have details about the carer, the person being cared for, who to contact and what the person being cared for is likely to need.

On the application form, the carer is invited to give the contact details of one or two people who would be willing to take their place in an emergency. The carer is responsible for ensuring that the nominated person / people are happy to do this and a basic care plan has been designed as an option for the carer and nominated person / people to fill in between them and keep for their own reference.

If the carer is not able to identify anyone willing to take their place in an emergency, or if the nominated person / people are not available, the Call Centre will automatically contact the Council Contact Centre who will put the call through to the most appropriate person / team. It will be that team’s responsibility to react and arrange the necessary services / input. If the emergency happens outside office hours, the Out of Hours Duty Social Worker will be contacted.

There is no charge to register on the scheme.

Forms are available from Adult Social Care Teams, Customer Services, Libraries, Kingston Carers’ Network and GP Practices or carers can complete form on line.