Guide
What to put on a medical ID
A medical ID has a few short lines to tell a stranger what they need to know. Here’s how to choose the words.
If you’re ever taken ill and can’t speak for yourself, the person helping you might be a paramedic, a nurse or someone passing by. They’ll read your pendant quickly, so every line should count.
Start with your name
Use your name as your GP knows it. If it’s long, shorten it, for example M. PATEL or MARGARET P.
Then the one thing they must know first
Ask yourself: if a paramedic could read only one more line, what should it say? For most people it’s one of these:
- A condition that changes how you’re treated, such as TYPE 1 DIABETIC, EPILEPSY or PACEMAKER.
- An allergy, especially to a medicine a paramedic might give, such as PENICILLIN.
- A medicine that changes treatment, such as a blood thinner like WARFARIN.
If you’re not sure what matters most for you, your GP or pharmacist can help you decide.
Someone to call
An emergency contact number helps whoever is with you reach your family. We can engrave it with the label ICE, short for “in case of emergency”, and add a name if it fits, for example SON 07700 900123. It’s especially useful for anyone who might become confused or lost.
Your NHS number (we recommend it)
In England, ambulance crews can use your NHS number to look up your Summary Care Record: the medicines you take, your allergies and any bad reactions you’ve had to medicines. That means your pendant doesn’t have to list everything. With your date of birth, it also helps confirm who you are.
It’s recommended, not required. In Scotland you’d use your CHI number, and in Northern Ireland your Health and Care number. How to find your NHS number.
Fitting it in
Every MediWear pendant takes up to four lines. Each line can have a small label, such as NAME, ALLERGY or ICE, so the words themselves can stay short. How much fits on a line depends on the pendant. Spaces count too.
| Pendant | Characters per line |
|---|---|
| The Guardian | 18 |
| The Lifeline | 16 |
| The Heritage | 14 |
Two examples
Best left off
- Doses. They change, and your record keeps them up to date.
- Your address, for your safety.
- Long sentences. Short lines are quicker to read in an emergency.
It’s your pendant, so you choose every word. Our engraving guide has more examples and a list of short forms that are widely understood. And if you’d like a hand, call us on 020 7183 0355. You’ll speak to a person.