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what to do in a medical emergency to be protected from unwanted medical treatments

Emergency Steps: When You Can’t Communicate

A reminder to our members to give their emergency contacts (ICE) the helpline number in case of a medical emergency that involves the member being unable to communicate. The number can be found in the Welcome Pack, the Pre-op Consultation Pack, and most of our email correspondence.

Upon joining My Medical Choice, members should explain to their ICE contact how our medical alert system works and what to do in an emergency. Members should encourage their ICE contacts to keep the helpline number safe and clearly identifiable in their mobile phone as an emergency number. IF the ICE contact receives a My Medical Choice emergency alert to say the member is in hospital, they should keep the helpline number at the ready in case they urgently need it.

Members should also make clear to their ICE contact that if they get into ANY difficulties AT ALL regarding emergency services staff attempting to override the medical directives in our member’s Advance Decision Notice, they should call the helpline without delay. This also applies to any ICE contact who feels overwhelmed by the situation and can’t cope. This service was set up to protect and advise people in these situations, so it should be used.

At present, the helpline runs until around 12pm at night – however, My Medical Choice is currently negotiating a helpline service for its members that will run throughout the night, 7-days a week. Changes and updates to our services will be announced on our blog and social media.

Other news! Please note that a new and updated Welcome Pack was sent out to all members around the beginning of March this year. If any members did NOT receive the pack, please let us know and it will be resent.

* Medical guidance changes over time. This article is periodically reviewed and updated to help ensure the information remains accurate and reflects current UK guidance where applicable.

My Medical Choice is not here to judge your decision; it is about empowering people to have control over their own healthcare.