Living with a medical implant: keeping your information ready

Start with a record you understand

Your implant information can be useful long after the original procedure. Ask your clinic which card or report describes the current implant, and which older records should be kept as history. If you have several implants, keep separate entries so that another team can tell which information belongs to which item.

For pacemakers, the NHS describes ongoing follow-up and checks. Follow the schedule and recovery advice from your own team.

When should I update my implant record?

• After an implant or component is added, replaced or removed: ask for the updated source record.
• When you move to another clinic: update the clinic name and contact route.
• When you spot a discrepancy: mark the information as uncertain and ask the clinic to confirm it.
• When sharing needs change: review who can open your information.

Do not erase an old implant from your history simply because a replacement has been fitted. Ask your team how any components left in place should be recorded.

Prepare for a new appointment

Tell the booking team about every implant. Have the relevant card or report and clinic contact details available. For an MRI, the scan team needs information before it can decide on the arrangements.

Ask: “Which implant details do you need before my appointment, and how should I send them securely?” You can read our guide to identifying an implant if you are unsure where to start.

Know which service to contact

Keep the clinical contact route separate from your passport support details. Questions about symptoms, recovery, activity or device function belong with your healthcare team. Questions about opening or correcting the digital record belong with the passport service.

Do not wait for a passport update before seeking urgent care. A passport is an information record, not an emergency response or monitoring service.