Thank you for visiting this information resource page for GP practices.

The Adjustment Card is designed for people with panic disorders and those who experience panic attacks. The card is a medical ID card which is exclusively issued on request of the holders GP.

The card is designed for two purposes. The front of the card displays adjustments that can be made for the holder to enable them to enjoy a life of going places and doing things, whilst removing things that may otherwise cause anxiety or preclude a panic attack. The aim of the adjustments is to help the holder minimise their risk of experiencing a panic attack.

The reverse side of the card is used in an emergency situation where the holder is experiencing a panic attack. They are able to present this side of the card to a member of staff or even a member of the public. The reserve side clearly states that the holder is having a panic attack and that a first aider is needed. As well as giving the holder a clear and fast way to letting someone know what it happening, it also supplies their emergency contacts phone number.

Experiencing a panic attack can be a very intense and overwhelming experience, so we want to ensure that your patient can identify what is happening and get the support they need quickly. For people who have not seen someone having a panic attack it can equally be a frightening experience especially if they do not know what is happening and how they can best help the person.

Alongside issuing the Adjustment Card, we also reach out and work with a number of organisations to promote awareness of the card amongst their public facing staff. We work to support businesses identify the best way of accommodating the adjustments as well as helping them to put a simple and clear procedure in place for a card being presented to any member of staff by a holder experiencing a panic attack.

We have found that a number of first aiders feel under trained to deal with panic attacks and we therefore seek to support gaps in training. We have a low risk tolerance and therefore train that if the holder is gasping of breath or experience chest pain, even if they say it is normal for them, the first aider should call 999 for emergency medical assistance.

However where this is not the case we teach them to sit the person down, open a door or move them outside if they prefer, talk slowly and calmly and also deploy the 333 technique.

My patient has asked me to complete the form

If you need a copy of the form you can download using the button above.

You should complete the form and return it directly to the patient as they can submit it to us along with their application for the card to be issued. Where possible please discuss the appropriate adjustments directly with the patient as we only issue the card with the adjustments that you have requested for the patient. We are unable to change the adjustments without your direct permission.

We kindly ask that you do not apply a private charge for completing the form and we accept the form completed and signed by any member of practice staff as long as it is completed as directed by the GP.

You can recommend the card to other patients who you feel would benefit from the card. One of the easiest ways to do this is to print and complete the request from with the patient at their appointment so they can leave with the completed form and then complete the application directly on our website.

You can request support by emailing help@adjustmentcard.uk.

If you are returning the form directly to our email address on behalf of your patient we kindly ask you to write their email address on the form.