News from Sutton LINk

Message in a bottle
22 June 2010

Supported by Sutton Social Services, Epsom and St Helier League of Friends, Sutton and Epsom Lions Club and the Nelson Ex-Patients Guild, Message in a Bottle is a simple idea that encourages people to keep their basic personal and medical details at home where they can easily be found in an emergency.

Important information, including medical details and emergency contacts, is kept in a plastic bottle, provided free of charge, in the fridge. Emergency services staff will be alerted to the presence of the bottle via the display of two stickers - one to be fixed on the inside of the front door and the other on the fridge door.

The special forms that are placed inside the bottles have room to provide:

• Full name and brief physical description
• GP name, surgery address and telephone number
• Brief description of any existing medical conditions
• Details of allergies/allergic reaction to medication
• Location of medication within the home
• Names, addresses and telephone numbers of two emergency contacts
• Details of any pets on the premises

Dr Martyn Wake, Joint Medical Director, NHS Sutton and Merton said: “Message in a Bottle could help save lives by providing emergency services staff with vital information on a person's medical condition. NHS Sutton and Merton Community Adult Rehabilitation Services are working with Sutton Adult Social Services and Housing, St Helier Hospital, voluntary agencies and the London Ambulance Service to distribute 10,000 Message in a Bottle kits to local older people in Sutton.”