A north politician is campaigning to encourage people with epilepsy in the Highlands and Islands to put ICE – In Case of Emergency – contact details on their mobile phones.
Rhoda Grant said that if they have a seizure outdoors it would enable the emergency services, or even a member of the public, to get in touch with the named family member, or friend, for medical details.
To further assist emergency personnel, she has developed a pilot initiative offering free ICEberg – In Case of Emergency be empowered, ring a guardian – wristbands to anyone with epilepsy.
These purple and white silicon wrist bands, identify that the wearer has an ICE contact on their mobile device.
Mrs Grant launched the scheme with Epilepsy Scotland at their information stand at the initial launch in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness in 2015.
She added: “Wearers can put ICE details into their mobile phone contacts or they may already have an ICE app on their mobile phone screen saver.
“Should a seizure happen, emergency personnel, or indeed a member of the public will know who to call by checking the ICE contact or app.
“Since the initial launch we have been surprised by the number of people taking up the offer of the free wrist bands.”
Epilepsy Scotland’s chief executive Leslie Young said:: “Much like an iceberg, epilepsy and how it affects the person tends to stay hidden unless or until a seizure.
“There are over 800 people living with epilepsy in Inverness alone. However, more than a third of them continue to have seizures even with medication, so relaunching these ICEberg bands may be of great help to them.”
