Ambulance Marker

What is an ambulance marker?

Specific patient or location information can be held on your local NHS Ambulance Service Trust patient record as a “marker” (previously known as a flag or warning in some instances). We strongly recommend that people with vascular EDS have an ambulance marker. You should also ensure your GP practice 'Summary Care Record (SCR) is updated.

In the event of an emergency, the presence of this marker (some ambulance services refer to as a patient specific instruction) should alert the 999 Emergency Medical Advisor (call handler) that the patient has a diagnosis of vascular EDS.

The ambulance service specific notes usually include the patients diagnosis of vascular EDS, possible symptoms, presentation, possible complications, care plan and transfer of care guidance. This may result in a more specific urgent treatment approach by the ambulance service.

It is important to be aware that the ambulance marker and a diagnosis of vascular EDS does not necessarily mean you will receive an ambulance any sooner, the call handler will still triage the call in the same way as any other emergency call.

For advice on how to get an ambulance marker / SCR put in place, please complete the below form:

Ambulance Marker Request

Patient First Name:

Patient Last Name:

Date of Birth:

Phone: 📞

Email:

Region:

NHS / CHI Number:

GP Surgery Name:

GP's Name:

GP Email Address:

Local Ambulance Service:

Free Text

Please note: Annabelle's Challenge cannot be held liable in the event of an emergency and the appropriate procedures not being followed and/or the response from the attending ambulance crew. Most medical markers/flags are only in place for 12 months and the doctor who organised it must be asked by the patient or their family/carer to renew it.

GP/consultant/specialist enquiries: If you are a HCP and require the ambulance marker template/patient form and email address for the patients local ambulance trust please call us on 0161 797 4746 or email us.

VERY IMPORTANT - EXTRA INFORMATION ONCE MEDICAL MARKER/ FLAG IS IN PLACE

Confirmation must be received that medical marker/ flag is in place.

In an emergency, CALL 999 and let the operator/emergency team know there is a medical marker / patient specific note in place and confirm the diagnosis of vascular EDS.

In every medical emergency (even with a medical marker/ flag in place), present the 'Emergency Information for Medical Professionals' sheet / blue wallet card to the ambulance crew - this can provide extra information to supplement the medical marker/ flag.

Most medical markers/ flags are only in place for 12 months and the doctor who organised it must be asked by the patient to renew it. The Ambulance trust must be contacted in the event of an address change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary Care Record

What is a Summary Care Record?

NHS England has introduced a new electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR), which will be used to support your emergency care. The NHS in Scotland and Northern Ireland refer to this as the Emergency Care Summary (ECS).

The information in your SCR/ECS can include:

Your recorded allergies and sensitivities
Treatments received or ongoing
Any known long-term conditions such as vascular EDS
Recent test results
Recent one-off medications
Current repeat medication(s)
letters that hospitals or specialists have sent to your GP

Ambulance crews also have access to a patients SCR/ECS using their tablet whilst travelling to a patient or when with the patient, as long as your GP understands the importance of completing and updating your record with this additional information.

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