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6 January 2022
Following reports in the media today of possible power disruption in South Devon and the South Hams area of the County.
We are asking Social Care providers in care homes and community settings to check essential equipment for vulnerable people in the event of a power cut or more prolonged power outage.
Listed below are some simple housekeeping tasks to minimise disruption and provide time for forward planning if necessary:
- Check battery levels and ensure they are charged.
- Check potential battery life of equipment should these need to be used.
- Charge spare batteries and monitor equipment
- Check essential equipment, which is used as back up, or for emergency use is in good working order.
- Refer to your business contingency plans where necessary.
- Check with vulnerable people you are supporting in the community to ensure they are on the priority registers - see details below.
Priority Registers for Power and other utilities
Vulnerable individuals can register as priority customers who may get additional support from utility providers:
South West Water - Priority Services (southwestwater.co.uk)
National Grid - National Grid - Priority services
Wales & West Utilities - Priority Services Register (wwutilities.co.uk)
You can also seek advice from the Care Provider Alliance – see details below.
The Care Provider Alliance provides advice on power disruption and business continuity at:
https://careprovideralliance.org.uk/business-continuity-power-disruption
In the event of a prolonged power outage and you are concerned that essential equipment may fail to remain operational on battery backup, please contact Devon County Council’s Emergency Duty Team on 0345 600 0388.
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