The Carers Emergency Card Scheme

What is the Carers Emergency Card?
The Carers Emergency Card will identify you as a carer in the event of an accident. It is credit card size so it will fit in a pocket, wallet or purse.

The card only has your emergency scheme membership number and emergency contact details. No personal information is recorded on the card.

How can the scheme help you?
• You can be offered emergency cover 24 hours a day in the event of an accident or illness occurring to you while out of your home.
• You can be less anxious about going out and leaving the person you care for alone at home.
• It gives you freedom from worrying that if anything happens to you the person you care for will be contacted to check that their support needs are being met.

Details of that person are held by Community Alarm Service.

What is the Community Alarm Service?
The Community Alarm Service is part of Enfield Council. They offer a 24-hour personal emergency system to vulnerable people. The service is for people who would like to be able to call for help at any hour of the day or night.

How does it work?
If you have an accident or suddenly fall ill while out of your home, anyone finding the card (for example, emergency services staff) will be able to phone Community Alarm. Community Alarm will then take the following actions (depending on what has happened to you):
• Contact family members or friends to inform them that something has happened
• Visit or phone the person you care for to inform them
• Arrange emergency help as required.

Does the scheme cost anything?
No, there is no charge for being a member of the scheme or for any emergency cover provided.

What do I have to do to join the scheme?
To join the Carers Emergency Card Scheme, please print off and complete the Carers Registration Form.

You must be able to provide the names of two people who can be contacted in the event of an emergency, and the name of at least one person who has the keys to your home. Community Alarm can also hold a key to prevent forced entry in an emergency. If you are not able to provide all these details, then please still contact us, as this will not necessarily exclude you from the scheme.

What happens next?
You will be sent a letter confirming that you are on the Scheme and your Carers Emergency Card (if applicable). If Community Alarm are going to hold a key, you will need to take a key to their offices.

What happens if I stop being a carer?
Please notify us so that we can remove your name from the membership list.

Who do I contact for more information about begin a carer in Enfield?
For more information about the Carers Emergency Card Scheme, please contact the Customer Service Centre on:
Phone 020 8379 1000
Fax 020 8379 6458
Textphone 020 8379 6551

This document was last updated on 2008-07-15 10:33:32 published by the Strategy & Perfomance team. Document Reference:LBE_117801