Carer's emergency card

If you are caring for someone over the age of 18, it is important that you get a carer’s emergency card.  This will ensure that that person will be safe if you are caught up in an emergency.

How to get a card

Create your carer’s emergency plan online.  This is a set of information that includes:

• Details about the person you care for
• The things you do to help them
• Names of emergency contacts

If you are unable to fill in this online form, telephone us on 0344 800 8020 (textphone 0344 800 8011).

You will be sent a carer’s emergency card, which you should carry with you at all times.  The card clearly states that you are a carer and that someone is relying on you to keep them safe and well. It also has your Emergency Plan number on it and the emergency helpline number 0344 800 8020.

What happens in an emergency?

You, or someone on your behalf, should ring the emergency helpline number 0344 800 8020 and give the number of your Emergency Plan.

Your named emergency contacts will be contacted by the emergency helpline service. Your named emergency contacts can then help the person you care for.

The service will help even if the named contacts cannot be reached, or you do not have any people who can help nearby.  Care workers will provide an initial response, to allow enough time to plan what will need to happen next.

What is an emergency?

Examples include:

• You (or someone close to you) are taken ill or have had an emergency
• You have had an accident or your car has broken down

The emergency services know what to do if they see your carer’s emergency card.