The idea for a card containing relevant information for healthcare staff to give person-centred care came from a Transgender workshop I ran just over a year ago.
For some Trans people it is vital that their gender identity remains unknown to their family, whilst other people are 'out and proud'.
If a person is unfortunate enough to be taken to ED and be unconscious, hospital staff have no way of knowing what their situation is, which raises potential safeguarding issues with a partner or family members.
This line of thinking led me to consider how useful it would be to carry a card which contained details about individual wishes around care, Carer's status (including being a pet owner, which can cause inpatients a great deal of anxiety) and other information not captured on EPR.
The idea I have is for all GP practices, Health Centres and Outpatient Departments to have a small promotional display, inviting people to choose to take one, fill it in and carry it in their bag/wallet.
Obviously there would need to be awareness-raising for all patient-facing staff, so they would know to look for it if an unconscious patient arrived, or know what action to take if presented with a card.
The card also means that the individual does not have to keep repeating themselves!
You can download the About Me Citizens card HERE