What to put on a medical summary card

Paramedics and emergency-department staff are trained to look for a small set of details when someone cannot speak for themselves. A single printed card in your wallet, on your fridge, or in the glovebox can save minutes when minutes matter.

The core details

• Full name and date of birth.
• Blood type, if known.
• Known allergies, especially to medications, latex, or foods.
• Current medications and doses.
• Chronic conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, or asthma.
• Any implants or devices, such as pacemakers or stents.
• Emergency contact name and mobile number.
• Medicare number.
• Your GP and their clinic phone number.
• Your health fund, if any.

The extras that help

• Your preferred hospital, if you have one.
• Whether you have an advance care directive and where it can be found.
• The name of your substitute decision-maker.
• Language spoken at home, if English is not your first language.
• Religious or cultural preferences that would affect care.

Where to keep it

One card is not enough. Print three.

1. In your wallet, behind your driver's licence.
2. On the fridge, held up by a magnet, where paramedics are trained to look.
3. In the glovebox of your car.

If you travel often, add a fourth in your suitcase or passport wallet.

Keep it current

Medications change. Emergency contacts move. Set a reminder to reprint the card whenever your prescription changes, or at least once a year on the same date. An out-of-date card is worse than none, because it can send emergency staff down the wrong path.

Do it for the whole family

Children, teenagers, and older parents all benefit from a card of their own. If a grandparent lives alone, a card on their fridge is one of the single most useful things you can put there.