Message in a bottle saved Sunderland patient’s life
When she walked through the door she witnessed Jean in a very distressed state, vomiting, unable to communicate, her body was reacting to her long-term health condition, and she needed immediate medical support.
Janine called 999 and she was told to retrieve a defibrillator and a North East Ambulance Service paramedic was on the way. By the time she had retrieved the defibrillator and returned a rapid response paramedic was on scene, closely followed by another ambulance crew.
Janine was asked by the paramedic for her medical history and any medication. As Janine manages over 51 properties and has around 61 residents, she did not have this to hand but did know Jean had a complex medical history and could remember a conversation about medication she had with family members. She also remembered HealthWatch Sunderland had recently been into to talk to people about the message in a bottle scheme at a coffee morning and Jean had a sticker on her door to show she had a bottle. Janine quickly checked in the fridge and found the bottle and the life-vital medication.
She gave the information on the form and the medication to the paramedic treating Jean. Following this Jean was administered the hydrocortisone injection, given further treatment, and transported to hospital. Janine didn’t know if she would see Jean again. After a week or so Jean returned home and is still recovering but is now able to participate in many day-to-day activities.
North East Ambulance Service are working in partnership with the Lion’s Club International to help protect people in our communities through the Message in a Bottle scheme. The scheme allows patients to keep personal and medical information in the fridge which can easily be found in an emergency.
Mark Johns, Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Manager said: “The information contained in these bottles alongside the other information we can access on patients can be vital for paramedics when assessing a patient, especially if the patient is unconscious, is living with dementia or has communication difficulties. We’d encourage people to participate in the scheme.”
Janine Proctor, Scheme Manager at Oakfield Court, Sunderland said: “The message in a bottle scheme contributed to saving Jean’s life. The information about her medication, background, what medication to take helped inform the paramedic what to do next and how to treat her.
“It has helped me to get the patient the best treatment possible and support the paramedics with their questions about Jean’s medical history and medication. It has helped me to answer the questions paramedics were asking about Jean that the patent couldn’t answer because she was unable to communicate due to the effects of her condition”.
“If I had one message, it would be getting a bottle, fill it out, put it in your fridge, put the sticker on your door - it can save your life.”
Bottles can be ordered from the lions website https://lionsclubs.co by emailing enquiries
Visit our website for more information on the message in a bottle scheme: Message in a bottle - North East Ambulance Service - NHS Foundation Trust (neas.nhs.uk)