Freephone: 0800 581420
About
us
What
is MedicAlert?
How
does the service work?
Why
would it be worth me getting a MedicAlert emblem?
What
information would I need to provide?
What
wrist size do I order?
Does
the emblem come with a guarantee?
Can
you send me a paper catalogue?
Do
you have products for children?
If
my emblem breaks or needs repairing, what do I do?
Who
decides what is engraved on my disc?
Can
I order through the Internet?
Can
I order over the telephone?
How
do I pay?
How
do I order another emblem?
How
do I change my details?
How
Many words fit onto each disc?
What is MedicAlert?
MedicAlert® is the only non-profit making, registered charity providing a life-saving identification system for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies. This takes the form of body-worn bracelets or necklets (known as MedicAlert® Emblems) bearing the MedicAlert® symbol on the disc and supported by a 24-hour emergency telephone service. Each member receives an Emblem that is engraved with the wearer's main medical condition(s) or vital details, a personal ID number and a 24 hour emergency telephone number which accepts reverse charge calls that can access their details from anywhere in the world in over 100 languages.
How does the service work?
In an emergency, vital information is available on the back of your MedicAlert® Emblem. Medical and emergency personnel can then telephone the given number and by quoting your ID number and after clearing security checks, they can receive further important details where appropriate. For example: your name and address, doctor's details, current drug therapy or next of kin.
This 24 hour emergency telephone service is dealt with from our emergency call centre housed within the offices of the London Ambulance Service. The emergency telephones are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with trained staff on hand to answer all calls, including reverse charge calls, from anywhere in the world with a translation service available in over 100 languages. In an emergency situation there is always someone on standby who can give your vital medical and personal information. All calls are logged, with full details of the caller, the nature of the call and the response given.
Why would it be worth me getting a MedicAlert emblem?
If ever you were unfortunately caught up in an emergency situation and a paramedic or medical professional was called to the scene for assistance, one of the first things they would do is check your pulse points, on doing so they would find your MedicAlert® emblem. Not only would they be able to instantly obtain information regarding your condition they would also call the emergency number, which is manned 24 hours. From this they would be able to obtain further details regarding your condition and if felt necessary would get in touch with your emergency contacts you had listed on your membership. The emblem would basically speak for you and can potentially save your life.
What information would I need to provide?
To join the organisation a set of details would need to be obtained in order for the service to work effectively and efficiently. We would need to know some personal details, which would include your name, address, DOB, and details of emergency contacts (you can have as many as you wish) you would like to have kept on file. We would need to know your main medical conditions and allergies, any medication you may be on, details of your GP and details of any hospital if visited on a regular basis. We would also need to know the type of emblem you wish to order including a wrist size if the emblem being ordered is a bracelet.
What wrist size do I order?
The wrist size should be measured with a tape measure tightly in inches and then half an inch should be added to compensate for the disc size and movement.
Does the emblem come with a guarantee?
Yes, all our emblems come with a year's guarantee, which covers any manufacturing fault or damage. If the emblem is lost then unfortunately that is not applicable within the guarantee. We can repair any broken or tarnished emblem during this time period also.
Can you send me a paper catalogue?
We can send out a paper catalogue and this can be requested by calling our office on 0207 833 3034 or Free phone 0800 581 420 between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Having said this however all our products and prices are open for view on the website. In order to view them you can either click on the 'How to join' option on the home page and select 'Products and Prices' at the top of the page and all the current emblems we have in various ranges can be seen by scrolling down.
Do you have products for children?
Yes, we have a 'Sports and Kids' range, which consists of Latex free nylon straps with Velcro fasteners. A stainless steel disc is attached to the top of the strap and has no direct contact with the skin. The Kid's bands come in two different styles, which are either a Football design or Flower pattern. The idea behind these styles are to make wearing the emblem fun so children want to wear them and they are adjustable so perfect for growing children. Also another very good idea for children as well as adults are the Stainless Steel bracelets because the wrist sizes can be altered to a desired fit for all and when taking into consideration very small wrists it is often a very good idea.
If my emblem breaks or needs repairing, what do I do?
If this ever happens please contact the organisation as soon as possible to advise us, we will then request you send this into us in order for the production department to carry out the necessary work. We do not recommend the emblem be taken to an independent jeweler because if any work is carried out and the emblem is subsequently lost due to the repair, we cannot be held liable for this. Also in addition to this because all our emblems are made up in a uniform fashion we pride ourselves on the make up and prefer to carry out the work in house.
Who decides what is engraved on my disc?
The engraving on the back of the disc is something that you should specify yourself, however if at any time you are unsure about the wording you can simply call our medical department (who consist of trained doctors and nurses) and advise them of all the medical conditions or allergies you have and from this you can decide amongst yourselves the best engraving for you.
Can I order through the Internet?
Yes you can join the service online, please click on the link below and complete you're personal and medical details.
» Click here for the online application form
Within 28 days, you will receive your chosen Emblem and wallet card containing the relevant information held on our files. The disc will be engraved with your main medical condition(s), a personal ID number and the 24 hour emergency telephone number.
Please note: As each MedicAlert® Emblem is tailored to the individual, we are unable to issue refunds. Cancellation before an Emblem has been produced will result in an administration fee.
Can I order over the telephone?
Yes, ordering over the telephone is possibly the easiest option available and because you are speaking directly to one of our representatives any questions that you may have can be answered straight away to ensure the choice you are making will be the right one for you.
How do I pay?
There are number of ways you can pay, one of the methods being over the telephone using a valid Credit or Debit card in your name. If however you do not have a Credit or Debit card you can request an order form to be sent out to you and in turn you can send a cheque or postal order with a completed form. We do not recommend you ever send any cash in the post.
How do I order another emblem?
When ordering another emblem the options available are the same as above, you can either order and make payment over the telephone using a valid Credit or Debit card by calling our office on 0207 833 3034 or Free phone 0800 581 420 between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. If you cannot pay by a Credit or Debit card then alternatively you can order a replacement form and make the payment in a postal format through either a cheque or postal order. Replacement order forms can be requested by calling the office or downloaded from the website by going into the 'Members Room' clicking on the 'Ordering a new emblem' at the top of the page and clicking on the illustration of a form. This form cannot be completed on line so would need to be printed and sent back to the office address.
How do I change my details?
You are able to change your personal details either over the telephone by writing to the MedicAlert® Foundation, 1 Bridge Wharf, 156 Caledion Road, London, N1 9UU via written confirmation in the post or by the E-mail facility by E-mailing info@medicalert.org.uk with your membership number in the title. Both personal and Medical changes/ additions and amendments can be made over the telephone, in writing or via E Mail.
How Many words fit onto each disc?
We have a range of 3 different sized discs and these are small, standard and large. If taking into consideration each disc we must consider the number of words or characters each is able to hold.
As a rough guide the number of words on each disc can be calculated as the following.
Small Bracelet Disc 4-6 words (& 6 is generous)
Standard Bracelet Disc 5-7 words
Large Bracelet Disc 8-10 words
Small Necklet 7-9 words
Large Necklet Disc 8-10 words
Stretchy Bracelet (both sizes) 5-7 words
Dog Tags 8-10 words
Latest News
01/07/2008
MedicAlert presents at AMBEX
The MedicAlert Foundation presented at the AMBEX conference in Harrogate on the 26th June. AMBEX is a national conference showcasing the very best i...
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