5th February 2019

Health, care and community organisations across Lincolnshire are joining forces to encourage people to make sure vital emergency information is available in a safe place.

The work, being led in partnership between organisations in the Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Working programme and Lions International, asks individuals to complete an ‘Important Things About Me’ form, which has been specially designed to fit inside a bottle to be kept in the fridge.

Louise Johnson, Neighbourhood Lead explained: “This important work brings together a well-recognised and respected national scheme through the Lions’ Message in a Bottle and the personalised and proactive care approach organisations are providing in Lincolnshire.

“Experience has shown us people are better supported when we consider every aspect of what is important to them as an individual, whether that is knowing their emergency plans or medication, through to making sure they have the right dentures and spectacles, or making arrangements for their pets.

“This form encourages people to give us a complete picture of them as an individual so we can get it right in an emergency when it matters the most.”

The information form and bottle, which are available for free from GP surgeries, are in use in the Boston, Skegness and coastal areas and across south Lincolnshire, including the Grantham, Spalding, Stamford and Sleaford areas.

‘Green cross’ labels fixed to the back of the door most used to access an individual’s home and to their fridge door alert emergency services to where to find your details.

The work also sits alongside the Herbert Protocol, a national initiative supported by Lincolnshire Police to ensure vital information is available about vulnerable individuals in the event of them going missing.

Inspector Andy Morrice, from Lincolnshire Police, said: “We have been promoting the message in a bottle scheme within our local community and have found people can see the real benefits for both the emergency services and themselves.  Both the message in a bottle and the Herbert Protocol give us vital information and we whole heartedly support the work being done by our partners to promote the use of the scheme.

Lion Tom Laking, district officer for Message in a Bottle, added: “The Message in a Bottle project, promoted by Lions Clubs International nationally, is supported by individual Lions clubs within each area. The scheme is recognised by emergency services personnel as a means to inform them of medication being taken and allergies, also of who to contact such as next of kin, carers and neighbours that could assist when individuals who live on their own are in a time of need.”

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