ALEX HICKEY
Hawke's Bay's emergency workers have given their backing to a scheme that allows them to inform a victim's next of kin after an accident.
The system relies on mobile-phone users to enter an emergency contact into their address book under the acronym, ICE, which stands for "In Case of Emergency".
The
concept was dreamt up by UK paramedic Bob Brotchie, who discovered that most accident victims carry no next-of-kin details but almost all have a mobile phone.
Hawke's Bay Hospital's emergency department head, Bob Butler, said he thought ICE was a great idea, but would also recommend that people also carry other identification cards in their purse or wallet.
"Generally speaking, the hospital is able to discover next-of-kin information fairly rapidly, however, the ICE technique could very well prove invaluable, particularly in cases where collapsed or injured patients are not readily identifiable," Dr Butler said.
Acting Napier police commander Mike Wright agreed.
"Certainly in the case of an emergency the sooner we can contact somebody who has knowledge of the victim the better," Mr Wright said.
The system might also help police to return lost cellphones handed in by the public.
St John's Hawke's Bay watch manager Stephen Smith said the group would welcome any measure that would them identify people at accident sites.
"I think it (ICE) would work, many New Zealanders carry cellphones and it is an item that is easily identifiable," he said.
Mobile phone company Vodafone launched the initiative in the UK and its sister organisation in this country believed the scheme could be a success in New Zealand.
Vodafone NZ communications manager Tracey Palmer said the company was looking at how the ICE concept might work in New Zealand.
"We're certainly always keen to look at mobile initiatives that will add value to our customers' lives," Ms Palmer said.
ICE ORIGIN
The ICE or "In case of Emergency" concept is the brainchild of Cambridge-based paramedic Bob Brotchie, who works for England's East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust.
He discovered most accident victims carried no next-of-kin details but had a mobile phone.
ICE was launched in early 2005 in the UK by mobile phone company Vodafone.
