Patients who rely on power for their health are being encourage to sign up to their energy supplier's priority services register.

The new Stay Switched On campaign, supported by the NHS and the region's Association of Directors of Public Health, is calling on patients who need extra help to sign up to their energy supplier's priority services register.

There are a range of people who use extra electricity in their homes for equipment to manage treatments. These include patients on dialysis and respiratory patients who are being monitored at home.

Maria Parsonage, Respiratory Consultant Nurse and Virtual Ward Clinical Lead at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Research has shown that keeping people in familiar home surroundings with care and support from healthcare teams is likely to support recovery and reduce the risks associated with a hospital admissions such as infection, falls and loss of muscle strength.

“People living with a range of conditions can have their care delivered at the place they call home rather than in hospital.

“All of the equipment required is loaned to the patient with simple user guides and videos. However, we are mindful that this has the potential to increase electricity costs when charging and using the equipment.

 “People who rely on power for their health should not be excluded from new digital services and we must identify those most vulnerable due to a lack of reimbursement options. It is of vital importance that we protect people who need electricity to run lifesaving medical equipment in their homes.”

Projects such as the Stay Switched On campaign, supported by the NHS and the region's Association of Directors of Public Health, are calling on patients who need extra help to sign up to their energy supplier's priority services register.

Samantha Allen, chief executive of the NHS's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said:  “A disrupted energy supply can have a big impact on vulnerable patients, and we want to make sure people have the support they need. Getting registered means your supplier knows who you are and what help you need.

"Good health is not just about treating sickness – it's also about keeping well. We have already contacted Ofgem to raise concerns about the risks that any disruption of energy supply means for the health of our most vulnerable patients."

The priority services register is a free service that helps suppliers know which customers need extra support. This could be because of your age, a disability, if you have an illness or mental health problems, have communication needs, or there have been changes in your life (such as pregnancy or if you have children under the age of five).

All you need to do is contact your energy supplier using phone, app or website, and ask to be put on their priority services register. If you're eligible, they can help with things like advance notice of power cuts, priority support in an emergency, or sending bills to a family member or carer.

You can also find out more and sign up via www.energynetworks.org/be-winter-ready. If you have different suppliers for gas and electricity, you need to contact them both. If you switch supplier in the future, you'll need to register again.

You can get extra support if you:
  • Are disabled or have a long-term health condition
  • Have a hearing or sight condition
  • Have a mental health condition
  • Are recovering from an injury
  • Are pregnant or have children under five living with you
  • Have extra communication needs (such as if you don't speak or read English well)
  • Need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
  • Have reached your state pension age
  • Have poor or no sense of smell
  • Would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation is not listed - for example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital. You can find out more about the priority services register on the Ofgem website.

The campaign, which will continue through the rest of the winter, aims to build on work already done by councils, the NHS and voluntary sector organisations in the region.