I AM writing in response to a letter from E Sanderson (Carers can't be too careful, Citizen August 19) which referred to the British red Cross Carers' Emergency Card scheme.

The scheme was started in response to an incident whereby a carer had popped into her local supermarket and left her husband in the car.

The carer then had a heart attack and it was not until the end of the day that her husband was discovered still in the car.

The Red Cross aims to prevent similar situations occurring by providing the carer with a distinctive card that would alert whoever found them to the fact that they cared for someone.

E Sanderson stated that they have a disabled son and in their absence only Lancashire County Council employees would be allowed to care for their son. However the British red Cross Carer's Emergency card scheme is run with the full support and backing of LCC social services department also in conjunction with the Carer's Project of Preston Council for Voluntary Services.

If the writer had an accident and was unable to tell anyone about their son, this totally confidential service would alert the emergency services to the fact that they were a carer and so bring in the Red Cross.

Our database would be able to identify contacts approved by E Sanderson.

These would then be contacted to look after the son.

Only if none were available would a Red Cross volunteer step in and even this would only be until other agencies could take over.

Marilyn Hahn, community services manager, British Red Cross, Lancashire Branch

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