Many carers worry about what will happen to the person they care for if they themselves have an accident or medical emergency.

In response City of York Council and York Carers Centre have launched the Carers Emergency Card.

What is the Carers Emergency Card?

This is new a scheme, starting in May 2008 being run as a partnership between York Carers Centre, and City of York Council's Warden Call service.

Carers can register an emergency plan for alternative care arrangements for the person they care for. Each carer is issued with a Carers Emergency Card and a unique PIN number. The plan is held confidentially by City of York Council's Warden Call service, which can respond to a request for help 24 hours a day.

Who can register?

The scheme will start as a six month pilot and will be available to carers of adults. (It will be available to parent carers and young carers in 2009)

How do carers register?

Carers should contact the Carers Emergency Card office. With the support of York Carers Centre, carers will be asked to complete a registration form giving details about themselves and the care needs of the person they support.  The carer will also be asked to nominate up to three other contacts, such as other family members or friends who could provide short-term care in an emergency. If a carer does not have any contacts they can still register with the scheme as Warden Call Control Centre will arrange emergency care provision. The service is free of charge.

What are the benefits?

Both the carer and the cared for will know that an emergency plan can be put into action at any time. Carers in other areas who have joined a scheme have said that this gave them peace of mind.

How does it work?

Once a carer has registered, they will receive a carer's card, which has a unique identification number and a 24 hour emergency contact number. In the event of an accident or emergency anyone finding the number will be able to contact the  Warden Call Control Centre. Staff will look up the carer's emergency plan and put it into action.

Further information

For further information and to register with the scheme please contact the Carers Emergency Card Office.