pacemaker registration card nhs

[Speedbuggy]

it seems the bhf and nhs state that a patient should be given a pacemaker registration card upon leaving an nhs hospital. But this did not happen. I asked for it before I left and was told one will be sent in the post. Has anyone in the UK had trouble getting this card? Thanks in advance

[Rhinos67]

I wasnt given anything either. I joined the Pacemaker UK Facebook group and they mentioned it, so I rang the Pacemaker clinic and they posted one out to me

Joanne

[Speedbuggy in reply to Rhinos67]

Thank you for your reply. The manufacturer of mine is in the USA and they don't deal with UK patients . I will try PALS see if they can sort one out. Wishing you all the

[Speedbuggy in reply to Rhinos67]

i didn't read yor reply right you said the pacemaker clinic. I will give that a try

[Rhinos67 in reply to Speedbuggy]

Yes they said I should have already been given one, but posted one anyway. And then at my check up on Wednesday she gave me another

[Speedbuggy in reply to Rhinos67]

lol

[VivienneB]

Mine isn’t a card as such. It is an A4 sheet of paper with all my details on which I keep in my purse. I wish I had a card as it would be stronger but when I phoned and asked they just sent a copy of my paper details.

[Speedbuggy in reply to VivienneB]

Thank you Vivienne. I had read that somewhere about paper A4. Out of curiosity here do you live north or south of the UK?

[VivienneB in reply to Speedbuggy]

I live in North Yorkshire x

[Alison_L in reply to VivienneB]

Hi VivienneB. I got a tiny (card size) plastic wallet with my sheet of A4. Mind you, the sheet has been pulled out quite a few times in the last 4.5 years, so it’s still got scruffy and is harder to stuff back into the wallet each time 😀

[VivienneB in reply to Alison_L]

Hi Alison, Perhaps I will have to buy myself a little plastic wallet as mine is looking decidedly dog eared too now 🤣…..I photocopied it though …..just wish it was more condensed on a laminated card.

[sturon]

If you phone the cardiology clinic, they should send you something. Not necessarily a card it may be a small paper in a plastic case as mine is. You should carry it with you, and you will definitely need it at any security check like at the airport.

[Speedbuggy in reply to sturon]

thank You sturon, I will ask them again. They did say one would be sent in the post but I've not got it. Do you live in the north or south of the UK

[sturon in reply to Speedbuggy]

we live in a small village called Dore. Not far from Sheffield.

[Hidden]

Dear Speedbuggy

I was given mine at my first meeting with the pacemaker team, but then I downloaded an app on my phone that keeps me in touch with them and the app has all the information of the pacemaker that I have had implanted.

Mine is a Medtronic one if that makes a difference

Take care

[Nannysue1 in reply to Hidden]

Thats exactly the same as me too.

[Speedbuggy in reply to Hidden]

thank You blue1958. Mine is a Medtronic too but they said it's not linked up to the hospital in any way

[Speedbuggy in reply to Hidden]

hello Blue1958 do you live in the North or south of the UK?

[Hidden in reply to Speedbuggy]

Down here in Southampton, your pacemaker still might link to the app without the hospital being involved, they will let you know if its suitable , good luck and take care

[Speedbuggy in reply to Hidden]

I will see if I can do that when I get the information. I've been told it can take 2 weeks to get the card/paper or whatever they send

[Faub]

Yes I was given the card alongside all the pacemaker docs when I was discharged. Get on touch with your pacing clinic and they will get one to you.

[Speedbuggy in reply to Faub]

thank You Faub I will do

[Speedbuggy in reply to Faub]

do you live in the North or South of the UK?

[SingingT]

Yes, I had trouble getting mine and had to be persistent. Eventually I was given a hand written one when I had a pacemaker check. Just keep asking.

[Speedbuggy in reply to SingingT]

thack you singingTwas wondering if you lived up north or down south please?

[SingingT in reply to Speedbuggy]

Hi, I live in Southern Scotland, not far from the border.

[ParrotLover22]

Hi Speedbuggy. Yes I was given a Card on my Discharge from Hospital along with ALL the other usual Paperwork. I had the Pacemaker inserted after a Bypass Operation. Chase them up!

[Speedbuggy in reply to ParrotLover22]

i will do thank

[Balu19]

I was given my card straight after my pm implant 3 years ago. Like other respondents it's getting dog-eared, particularly after wet cycle rides! Although I take it on holiday, I haven't had to show it yet; I just point to the pacemaker site and airport security get the idea. It would make sense however if the cards could be in some foreign languages in case this is ever a problem.

Perhaps BHF could campaign for a standard NHS card and issuing protocol?

[Speedbuggy in reply to Balu19]

That would be a good idea thank you Balu19

[Speedbuggy]

Was supposed to get a call today to check my dressing (over the telephone!) And guess what, no phone call. I have not been given any instructions on what to do after the first 7 days is up. Looks like I will have to chase that up as well as the registration card. The NHS do a marvellous job regarding the big things but seem to fail miserably on the little things. When I was in recovery after the pacemaker was fitted there were 6 nurses (male and female) chatting for an hour about tictoc and why their wage slips hadn't arrived yet and it was payday on Friday!