MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

So what is the EMERGENCY INFORMATION SCHEME MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

The Message in a Bottle is a voluntary scheme intended for use by ANYONE with a medical condition and feels vulnerable while living at home. The scheme provides emergency services or other caring organisations with vital details of any conditions, medications or allergies or someone to contact should they be called to a home as a result of sudden illness or personal accident. How does the scheme work? The scheme works by storing the person's details in a plastic container, which is kept in their fridge. Two small stickers unique to the scheme and known to the emergency services and other caring agencies are attached within the house, one on an inside door or panel within the hallway and the other on the fridge door. If more than one member of the household is using the scheme all the forms are kept inside one container.

50,000 Bottles distributed in 12 months

Message in a Bottle was started in Perthshire, was taken up in Moray Rotary while Dundee Rotary area was "dabbling" up to summer 2002. Action was suggested in other areas but there was no co-ordination and Rotary District 1010, with 80 Clubs throughout the north of Scotland, decided to attempt co-ordination, and develop the Message in a Bottle scheme in all Districts. Time has been taken to develop structures in each District, liaison, communication and operational plans of attack with the knowledge of Primary Care Trusts, LHCCs, Emergency Services and Community Safety Committees/Forums etc and voluntary agencies. This is at differing stages in every District but action is now programmed and action will follow over the next 12 months.

Aberdeenshire Development

The initiative has been financially supported by the Garioch and North Marr Community Safety Group , Formartine Community Safety Group, Buchan Community Safety Group and South Marr Community Safety Group.