LION

Lions’ Letters
Ihave lost all respect with the hierarchy of Lions and will
direct all my energies towards working inmyown club to
help local people. The only thing that I‘cling’ to, in
circumstances such as this, is something afellow club
member said once to me some time ago, when there was a
little unsettling atmosphere in the club, and that is that
Lions is nothing to do with usasindividuals, itispurely and
simply and unequivocally about helping others.
Colin Hibberd
Sleaford &District Lions Club
Dear Sirs,
On behalf ofAylesbury Lions Club Ifeel bound to respond
to Lion Chris Southworth who wrote in the
August/September issue.
Iknow we are not the only Lions Club who are providing
the Message in aWallet information strips, and these
comments are only to be taken as those of my own Club.
Firstly, the research which we carried out before
considering providing these MIWs showed an
overwhelming positive response from all who we spoke to.
This included The Ambulance Service, Doctors and other
health professionals. The issue of confidentiality was, of
course discussed, and the view taken was that this was a
voluntary disclosure of medical and other information by
the person carrying the MIW. Information which they did
not want to be known would merely be omitted when the
form was filled in.
Secondly, as along-time member of the Fire and Rescue
Service Ican assure Chris Southworth that all information
relating to avictim ofaccidental or medical emergency
would be sought inorder to provide the best care possible.
This may well entail looking in pockets, wallets or
handbags to see if there isany identification should the
person not be able to speak. All members ofthe
emergency services are bound by rules of confidentiality
and would not use any information inaninappropriate
way. Items such asDonor cards, chemotherapy
information and blood thinning drug use are routinely
accessed in order to ascertain the best treatment ofany
patient.
Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, the points raised by
PDG John Savell beg the question as to how deeply the
Council researched the implications raised. Istrongly
suggest that following the massive support we and I'm
sure other Lions Clubs have received for this project that it
be reconsidered as aLions overall initiative to avoid the
need for each Club issuing alocal form when one could be
sourced centrally.
Fourthly, the provision of Medicalert Iunderstand has a
cost implication whereas the MIW is completely free with
all costs being born by the providing Club.
Lion Andy Ward
Aylesbury Lions Club
Editors Response:
The question of liability on the part of Lions clubs and their
insurance cover was of concern earlier in the life of this
venture. However, inthe last month or so clarification has
been obtained and there is information in this regard
shown on the MD website and would be worth reading for
anyone interested in having MIAW.
www.lionsclubs.co December 2015/January 2016
45