Learnings

Outcomes

Reports from the research in WP1 conducted by RiDC will be published before the end of the project.         

Lessons Learnt

The key lessons learnt so far in the project are related to Work Package 1 (Customer research and engagement) and are as follows:

·       Many of the customers self-reported that they live in a household that depends on electricity for medical reasons. The majority of these homes have devices that are not included in the list of devices that qualify households to be considered ‘medically dependent on electricity’. The devices listed under PSR needs codes 1-4 that do qualify households for this status are: 

o   Nebuliser and apnoea monitor

o   Heart, lung and ventilator 

o   Dialysis, feeding pump and automated medication

o   Oxygen concentrator

·       Devices such as careline/personal alarm systems and assistive aids (such as adjustable beds and mobility aids) were the most common devices outside of the PSR needs codes 1-4 definition. 

·       In the majority of cases, apnoea monitors and ventilators are only used at night when customers are asleep. In the case of daytime outages, it is unlikely that receiving a back up battery would have a medical benefit to customers.

·       There are many other complex and intersecting disabilities that would benefit significantly from receiving a battery in a power cut. 

·       Those with limited alternatives for assistive aids highlighted the importance of advanced warning, guidance and preparation in the event of a power cut.

·       In all questions posed to customers in research with the RiDC, there was a large variation in responses. It is not appropriate to generalise when it comes to customers with disabilities and medical vulnerabilities. Any service designed to provide enhanced support in a power cut situation must be flexible enough to tailor it to the customer.