Initiative aims to improve emergency care and help palliative patients remain at home for longer
A SCHEME designed to help emergency services quickly access vital medical information for vulnerable patients is being expanded across Ceredigion thanks to charitable funding.
Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has provided funding to develop the “Message in a Bottle” scheme for patients supported by the Specialist Palliative Care Team in Ceredigion.
The initiative allows palliative care patients to store important personal and medical information in a clearly marked container kept inside their fridge, ensuring emergency responders and healthcare professionals can quickly access critical details when attending a patient’s home.
Information stored inside the bottle can include next of kin details, DNACPR (Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) forms, Future Care Plans, ADRT (Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment) forms, or instructions explaining where important documents are located within the property.
Emergency responders are alerted to the presence of the bottle by a green sticker placed inside the front door of the home.
Paramedics already use the scheme when responding to emergencies, and health officials say widening its use across Ceredigion will improve communication, support faster decision-making, and enhance patient safety.
A similar programme previously introduced in Carmarthenshire has already shown positive results.
Carys Stevens, Team Lead for the Specialist Palliative Care Team, said the initiative could make a significant difference to patients receiving end-of-life care.
She said: “We’re incredibly grateful that charitable donations have enabled us to develop this important initiative.
“Message in a Bottle has the potential to increase the number of days our patients spend at home – as their preferred place of care.
“Having this standardised way of storing a patient’s information and plans improves access to important information. It will have a direct and clear benefit to patient care.”
Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, said community support was vital in helping the charity provide services beyond standard NHS provision.
She said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
Further information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support local NHS patients and staff is available via the charity’s website.
