It has been suggested that I should get my name flagged with the local ambulance service, so that if I telephone they already have a brief summary of my medical history and can send somebody appropriate. This is because of my brittle asthma, numerous anaphylactic allergies, adrenal insufficiency, home oxygen, and home intravenous medication.
However, I'm not sure how to do it? When I look at my local ambulance service, I can't see any suggestion ont their website that they do anything like this, and a google search has only brought up addressed being flagged where there is a history of violence or something like that.
Anybody got any experience with this? How do I proceed? Thanks!
9 Replies
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I would contact your ambulance service direct and ask the procedures, and have got in touch with them about getting code registered for a key safe and they were happy just to provide me with the appropriate name and number. I at my local A & E have flagging system available, so once my details are admitted immediately my name is flagged.
But also should your respiratory team or GP feel that this necessary I would have thought that they should at least do this, because they will have access to your full medical history.
I have this and it is very useful. In London it's called a Patient Specific Protocol but I think the names/systems are dependent on your area - I'm also 'flagged' when I'm visiting my Mum who lives in a very rural area (helicopters rather than ambulances in bad weather) but I don't think it's called a PSP there.
My London PSP was suggested by my hospital, I initially contacted them (found details on web) and they then wrote to my GP/cons for further info before issueing a PSP. My one for my Mum's place was done directly between my London hospital and the ambulance service there.
Best bet is to contact your local ambulance service - they'll know where to refer you.
Each area has different ways of doing it.
My Ex-Boyfriend works for EMAS and basically if when you call an ambulance you always travel to hospital and are known to that hospital, you're flagged automatically on the system as a priority caller who isn't taking the p*ss so to speak. You also have the choice to go straight to the respiratory center if you so choose, but it's whether or not they have beds.
It is worth contacting your local service though to see what their protocol is. It may be they require documentation from the hospital etc, but sometimes just having a complex history is enough to scare them senseless into taking you seriously.
Each area has different ways of doing it.
My Ex-Boyfriend works for EMAS and basically if when you call an ambulance you always travel to hospital and are known to that hospital, you're flagged automatically on the system as a priority caller who isn't taking the p*ss so to speak. You also have the choice to go straight to the respiratory center if you so choose, but it's whether or not they have beds.
It is worth contacting your local service though to see what their protocol is. It may be they require documentation from the hospital etc, but sometimes just having a complex history is enough to scare them senseless into taking you seriously.
I have my address flagged with the amb service, because of my fear of a&e, they are notified to bring certain drugs like iv hydrocortisone to try their best to home treat and if that fails to try and admit straight to resp ward or MAU, this was set up totaly by my GP, so would ask them first.
Snowy
I am flagged with my local ambulance service only thing is in my area you have to make sure you notify them yearly to make sure you are covered in the case of an ambulance being called to home address.
I have recently become 'flagged' with the local ambulance service. This was done through the Care Management Team which operates in my area.
Flagging needs to be done via either crews themselves (in case of violence) or via a health care proffessional but please be aware dosn't mean that the request always happens as there is still the times etc to met and the information somethimes dosnt get pased onto crews as on computers in dispatch so its up to them dispatcher on what they tell crew. I would also ask for a copy of instructions to ambulance at home etc.
Im flagged in case of silent caller but when comes to treatment find it far better by having a good relationship with crew providing them the information they need and them knowing me
I was flagged about 5 yrs ago after an incident when despite my hubby explaining to the controller that i was having a severe asthma attack we still waited 40 mins for anyone to come - it was touch and go for a few days wether i would pull thro. my community matron orgaised it for me after a meeting with my GP.
I would reccommend speaking to your GP as if they feel it is needed they can organise it or give you the relevant info to do it with heir say so. now i get a rapid response car within 5mins and the ambulance is always here within 10-15mins-most of the local crews know me and know its safer to scoop and run and i always have a print out of my meds plus a sheet with contact info and brief medical history drug allergies etc to save me having to try and speak.
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