A Carers Emergency Card:

• is a small plastic card that fits into your purse or wallet
• carries a 24 hour telephone contact number which goes straight through to the Kirklees Carephones Helpline Service
• holds a personal number which is linked to a database, which keeps details about you and the person you look after. Only authorised Kirklees staff will know who you are and who you look after.

If you are taken ill or have an accident, the Emergency Services will find the card and know you are a carer. Or you can call the 24 hour contact number and explain that you would like to use your plan.

By ringing the telephone number and quoting your personal number, Carephones Helpline staff will know there is an emergency. They will make sure the person you look after is told what has happened. They will be told by someone who is skilled in handling sensitive situations.

The Carephones Helpline staff will also make sure the person you look after gets the help and support they need until you can care for them again. This service replaces the Carers Emergency Card.

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An emergency is an unplanned event that stops you caring for someone. For example:

• you are unexpectedly admitted to hospital or have other unexpected health needs which mean you are temporarily unable to carry out your caring role
• a family emergency such as a close relative being taken ill and needing immediate help
• you need to attend the funeral of a close friend or relative
• a real risk to your employment or training on an occasion as a result of breakdown in planned care arrangements or for example, an unplanned change to your usual work routine, such as a need to travel away from home.

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There is no charge. This service is free to all carers providing care for someone living in Kirklees. If a friend or relative steps into your role we will pay them reasonable out of pocket expenses.

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Your plan will be reviewed annually. It is your responsibility to keep it updated as changes happen. Remember, the plan is only as effective as the information it holds. It needs to be kept up to date so that the right information is followed in an emergency.

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Your plan will ask for information about the social, emotional and medical needs of the person you care for. It is your responsibility to make sure that emergency contacts know where any medication is kept and the required dosage. We suggest that you keep an up to date list with the medication.

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Download theCarers Emergency Support Leaflet (CESP), print it off, complete the registration form and place it in the post, no stamp needed.

Or call Gateway to care on: 01484 414933 and explain that you would like to complete a Carers Emergency Support Plan. They will need to know your details and those of the person you care for.

The plan fits in with a carers assessment. These offer the opportunity for you to discuss your caring role and to think about what would make caring easier for you and help you to have a life of your own. If you would like further information about carers assessments, please read the leaflet Identifying carers needs. (PDF 108KB)

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