A NEW scheme to help vulnerable people with special medical needs access treatment as quickly as possible will be rolled out across Canvey.

The Canvey First Responders volunteer group will be working with Castle Point Council to run the message in a bottle scheme.

The scheme will see people with medical needs provided with a bottle to store helpful information about their condition and what treatment is needed in case of an emergency.

It is hoped that emergency services can access the documents if the resident is unconscious or unable to communicate. The documents will then help the paramedics or first responders give the appropriate care.

The scheme is already recognised and used by emergency services and voluntary and community groups.

Canvey First Responders and Castle Point Council are holding a special launch event the scheme tonight from 7.30pm at the Conservative Club, Long Road, Canvey.

First responder Mick Allwood said this is a positive move for the community.

He added: “It was one of our responders,James Dennis, who said that we should be supporting the scheme.

“We will be meeting with vulnerable people to give them the bottle, provided by Castle Point Council, and we will instruct them of how to fill in the necessary forms so that the bottle contains all the relevant medical information.”

Mr Dennis said: “In my work as a responder I have seen and known people who have been helped by the scheme.

“It means that we, as first responders, can help and treat people quicker and more efficiently as we will have the medical records.

“I will help us to know what conditions the person has which could help us with diagnosis and later treatment.”