ICE Cards for Chronic Medical Conditions or Daily Health Needs

In the UK, millions of people live with long-term health conditions. NHS figures show that more than 15 million adults — about one in four — manage at least one ongoing issue such as diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, severe allergies (anaphylaxis), asthma, COPD, or kidney disease. These conditions frequently require specific medications, careful monitoring, or particular actions during an emergency.

If you become unresponsive because of a seizure, a low blood sugar episode, a heart-related event, or a severe allergic reaction, emergency responders need accurate information immediately. A well-made ICE (In Case of Emergency) card delivers exactly that. It is a small, physical card — the size of a credit card — carried in your wallet or purse, containing the most important details about your health in a clear, concise format.

Unlike smartphone apps, wearables, or online health records, a physical ICE card needs no power, no password, and no scanning equipment. Paramedics from UK ambulance services routinely check wallets, pockets, handbags, and coat pockets for medical identification. A properly prepared ICE card can help prevent serious mistakes, such as administering a medication you are allergic to, delaying essential treatment for low blood sugar, or performing imaging that is unsafe with an implanted device.

This guide concentrates solely on how to design and maintain an ICE card specifically for people with chronic medical conditions and daily health needs. It explains the key information to include, why each piece matters, practical examples, and how to keep the card current and easy to find. It complements our other guides on ICE cards for children, elderly people, active lifestyles, and common myths.

Why an ICE Card Matters for Chronic Conditions

Emergencies involving chronic conditions are different from those in otherwise healthy individuals. Standard treatment protocols can sometimes cause harm if they do not take your individual circumstances into account.

For example, in a person with insulin-dependent diabetes, severe hypoglycaemia requires immediate blood glucose testing and fast-acting carbohydrate. Without clear information, responders might misinterpret symptoms or delay the right action. After an epileptic seizure, post-ictal confusion can be mistaken for intoxication, a stroke, or head injury. People taking blood-thinning medication (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban) face increased bleeding risks if certain drugs or procedures are used without warning.

A straightforward ICE card solves this by giving paramedics and hospital staff the vital facts within seconds. It works alongside — but does not replace — engraved medical alert jewellery, the NHS Summary Care Record (with your consent), the NHS App, or specialist apps. UK ambulance trusts, the College of Paramedics, and charities like Diabetes UK, Epilepsy Society, British Heart Foundation, and Anaphylaxis UK all support the use of physical medical identification for faster, safer care.

What Essential Details to Include

The goal is to make the card quick and easy to read in a high-pressure situation. Use a credit-card-sized durable plastic card or laminated paper. Print or write in a large, clear font (minimum 10pt), use bold headings, bullet points, and black text on a light background.

Personal basics

Include your full name, date of birth, and — if you wish — your NHS number. This helps staff access your records quickly in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Add your blood group only if it is known and relevant.
List one or two emergency contacts with names and phone numbers — ideally people who understand your condition well.

Medications

This is usually the single most important section. List every regular medication with the exact name, dosage, frequency, and how it is taken. Be precise, as even small differences matter.

Common UK examples:

Type 1 diabetes: “Insulin-dependent diabetic. Novorapid 4–12 units with meals (carbohydrate counting/sliding scale). Lantus 24 units at bedtime. Always check blood glucose before giving insulin.”
Heart conditions: “Atrial fibrillation. Apixaban 5mg twice daily. Clopidogrel 75mg daily (coronary stent 2024).”
Epilepsy: “Focal epilepsy. Levetiracetam 1000mg twice daily. Midazolam buccal 10mg for prolonged seizures lasting more than 5 minutes.”
Severe allergies: “Anaphylaxis to peanuts and penicillin. Carries EpiPen 0.3mg auto-injector (expiry checked monthly).”

Allergies and warnings

State allergies clearly, including severity and consequences. Examples:

“Severe penicillin allergy — history of anaphylaxis. Do not give any penicillin antibiotics.”
“Allergic to latex — use non-latex gloves only.”
“Avoid NSAIDs — previous gastrointestinal bleed.”
“Beta-blockers contraindicated — worsens severe asthma.”

Key conditions and instructions

Provide short, actionable notes that responders can follow immediately. Useful examples:

Diabetes: “Insulin-dependent. Check blood glucose urgently. Treat hypoglycaemia (<4mmol/L) with 15–20g fast-acting carbohydrate (glucose tablets or sugary drink).”
Epilepsy: “Typical seizures last under 3 minutes. Place in recovery position after seizure. Do not insert anything into mouth.”
Implanted devices: “Pacemaker/ICD implanted 2023 (Medtronic). No MRI without cardiologist/device check. Avoid strong magnets near chest.”
COPD: “Severe COPD. Oxygen saturation target 88–92%. Prefer nebulised salbutamol/ipratropium in acute exacerbation.”
Addison’s disease: “Daily hydrocortisone replacement. Emergency intramuscular hydrocortisone if unresponsive.”

You may also include organ donor status if relevant.

Adding a Photo and Medical Jewellery Notes

Adding a recent colour head-and-shoulders photo to your ICE card is a sensible, practical step that many people find helpful. It allows emergency responders to confirm your identity quickly if you're unresponsive, especially when your appearance may have changed since older documents were issued (for example, due to illness-related weight loss, new facial hair, glasses, or hairstyle changes). A clear, well-lit photo against a plain background works best – keep it small enough to fit neatly in a corner or at the top of the card without making the text harder to read.

Update the photo every 12–24 months, or sooner if your appearance changes noticeably. This small addition can reduce any initial confusion at the scene or in A&E and helps ensure the medical details on the card are clearly linked to you.

If you wear medical alert jewellery (a bracelet, necklace, or pendant), it's worth mentioning this on your ICE card. UK paramedics and emergency staff are trained to look for these items immediately, as they provide a visible, instant source of key information such as severe allergies, main conditions, or implanted devices. Simply add one short, direct line on the card, for example:

“Medical alert bracelet worn on right wrist — engraving lists key allergies and insulin dependence.” Or "Engraved necklace lists key allergies and insulin dependence – check neck first"

This one sentence guides responders to the jewellery right away, making the two items work together effectively. Medical alert jewellery is widely recognised in the UK (particularly items from organisations like MedicAlert), and noting its location can save valuable seconds in an emergency. Keep the note brief and factual so it doesn't take up too much space on the card.

How to Keep Your Card Up to Date and Accessible

Your health situation can change over time — new medications, dosage adjustments, hospital treatments, changes in allergies, or updates to implanted devices all make it essential to treat your ICE card as a living document rather than something you set once and forget.

When to review and update

Immediately after any significant change: This includes starting a new medication, having a dose altered, being discharged from hospital with new instructions, receiving an allergy test result, or having a device (such as a pacemaker) fitted or replaced. These updates are the most critical, as even a short delay could affect emergency care.
Every 6 months as routine maintenance: Even if nothing has changed, use this time to double-check expiry dates on rescue medications (EpiPens, glucagon pens, midazolam), confirm contact numbers are still correct, and replace the photo if it’s looking dated.
Annually at a minimum: Carry out a full review, rewrite the card if needed, and include a fresh photo. This helps catch any small changes that might have been overlooked.

Storage and accessibility

Multiple copies greatly increase the chances that at least one will be found quickly:

Primary copy: Always in your wallet or purse — the first place UK paramedics check.
Vehicle: Keep one in the glovebox or centre console (useful if an incident happens while driving).
Home: Place a copy near your keys, front door, or with your daily medications so family or visitors can find it fast.
Optional digital backup — scanned copy on your phone or secure cloud (secondary to physical copies).

Use a waterproof sleeve or protective holder for the wallet copy to protect it from daily wear. Some people also keep a spare laminated copy in their work bag or coat pocket if they spend a lot of time away from home.

Combining ICE Cards with Other Tools for Better Protection

Your ICE card is most effective when used as part of a wider system of emergency identification. Combining it with other tools creates multiple layers of protection, so that responders have the best possible chance of finding and understanding your critical health information quickly.

If you wear a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or pendant (such as those provided by MedicAlert or similar UK-recognised providers), as we've already discusses, always include a short, clear note on your ICE card about its location and what it covers.
With your consent, your GP can make key information (allergies, medications, significant conditions) available in your NHS Summary Care Record. This digital record can be viewed by authorised healthcare professionals across England (and increasingly elsewhere in the UK). While it’s not instantly accessible at the scene like a physical card, it provides backup detail once you reach hospital. Mentioning on your card that you have a Summary Care Record (e.g., “NHS Summary Care Record active – consent given”) can prompt staff to check it sooner.
The NHS App allows you to view and share parts of your health record, and many people also add emergency information to the built-in Medical ID feature on smartphones (iOS Health app or equivalent Android settings). These digital tools are useful, especially if your phone is unlocked or if staff can access it. However, phones can be damaged, locked, out of battery, or simply overlooked at the scene — that’s why the physical ICE card remains the most reliable first point of contact.
If you carry rescue medication (such as an EpiPen, glucagon pen, or midazolam syringe), keep it in a clearly labelled pouch or case with basic instructions. Placing a note on your ICE card like “EpiPen carried in left pocket – see pouch for instructions” helps responders locate and use it without delay.

By noting these additional tools on your ICE card and keeping everything consistent (same details across jewellery, digital records, and medication labels), you create a connected safety net. Responders get the same core information no matter which item they find first, reducing the risk of gaps or confusion in a high-pressure situation. Always review these elements together during your regular card updates to ensure they match your current needs.

Why an ICE Card Is Essential for Chronic Conditions

At the end of the day, if you live with a chronic condition, an ICE card is one of those quiet, everyday preparations that can quietly make a huge difference when it matters most. It’s simple, reliable, and gives emergency teams the clarity they need right away – something that can change the course of care in those first vital minutes.

The effort is minimal: a bit of time to get the details right, regular quick reviews, and a few sensible copies placed where they’re likely to be found. That’s it. Once it’s in your wallet, it’s doing its job without you having to think about it.

If you’re ready to put one together, start with the essentials we’ve covered, keep it straightforward, and update it as life changes. And if you ever want extra reassurance on wording or condition-specific phrasing, the resources from charities like Diabetes UK, Epilepsy Society, British Heart Foundation and Anaphylaxis UK are well worth a look – they’re free, practical, and trusted by people in exactly your position.

You’ve got this. A small card, carried every day, is a powerful piece of protection. Stay safe.