Purpose of the card
The About Me card allows patients to disclose, in a concise and non-verbal format, factors that may trigger a “fight, flight, or freeze” response during medical or therapeutic appointments. These triggers may relate to:
- Trauma
- Sexual assault
- Personality disorders
- Neurodiversity
- Anxiety
- Other lived experiences that may impact the patient’s emotional regulation
The card is intended to:
- Improve communication between patients and professionals
- Help staff make reasonable adjustments to support the patient’s wellbeing
- Reduce stress and anxiety during appointments
- Enhance overall appointment experiences
What can the card be used for?
The Awareness Card, developed by Healthwatch Warrington, is designed for residents with additional needs or who require extra support during visits to the Emergency Department (ED), Wards and appointments. This includes individuals who might experience triggers such as windowless rooms or questions that provoke a fight-or-flight response.
The card aims to inform healthcare professionals about these needs to ensure a more person-centred approach to care.
Other reasonable adjustments include:
- Chaperone/Same sex clinician on request
- No windowless room
- Sit next to a door
- Loud noises (limit)
- Interpretation required
- Time to process what is happening/information given
- Speak in a language I understand free from medical terms
- Include me and my carer in the conversation (don’t talk about me talk to me)
- Wait in adjacent area/outside area/in car
- Bright lights (reduce0
- Extend appointment time
- Honest conversation, wait time, process
About Me Card is universal and inclusive, allowing everyone to share information that, from my perspective, is crucial and should be known by the medical professionals caring for me.”
Apply for an About Me card.
The About Me card is a pilot scheme for 6 months and can ONLY be used in Warrington Hospital for visits to the Emergency Department (ED), Wards and appointments.
- The pilot will run from June 2025 to December 2025.
- Participation and feedback during this period are essential to evaluating the card's impact.
We hope to extend the use of the card across Warrington after this time.
Your feedback will be vital in assessing the effectiveness of the card and determining whether the pilot should be expanded or continued beyond the initial trial.
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