NEWS

Click here for a pdf copy of the article

There has been much debate among sleep apnoea patients as to what exact benefits might be provided to them as members of the Priority Services Register, and SATA is now able to be more precise on what you might get, and more importantly what you won’t get if the system has a problem. Energy Networks Association (ENA – the voice of the networks) have published a range of documents on their plans to cope with the current fuel crisis, and how it might worsen. Here are links to two documents on their website to help you –

What happens during an energy shortage – Energy Networks Association (ENA)

Getting extra help from your energy network operator – Energy Networks Association (ENA)

All companies have their own detailed policies, but are broadly in line with the Associations view.

SATA has received postings from Scottish and Southern (SSEN) on how they will be approaching any likely scenario, with a range of helpful Frequently Asked Questions and replies.

How will planned and emergency disconnections work, and how will I be notified?
Planned rota disconnections – the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) will give advanced warning to the DNO of a next-day outage by 5.30 p.m.; if it occurs in your rota area, you will be advised by text at around 6.00 p.m. Each outage is expected to last around 3 hours.

Emergency disconnections – caused by a fault, a failure or weather event, will be of uneven length dependant on circumstances, and no notice time is possible. When information becomes available, the DNO will text it to your mobile number if they have it.

What is a block letter, and why is it important?
Each electricity meter is assigned an alphabetical ‘block letter’. In the event of a planned power cut different block letters are timetabled to be without power for a 3-hour period. Depending on the severity of the situation, power may be interrupted multiple times over the period of the event which may last several days. You can also find your rota block and see what areas are affected around you at myrotablock.ssen.co.uk .

How can I find the power cut timetable (rota)?
If a planned rota disconnection is initiated, a timetable will be available at powercut105.com and on our website ssen.co.uk . The timetable will tell you when you will be without power, and when there is a risk you may be without power. Your power might be switched off or reconnected around 30 minutes before or after the published time depending on national electricity use at that time. This is because of the need to phase disconnections and reconnections, creating a short overlap.

How long will my power be off for?
As stated above, this is a worst-case scenario, and it is likely that National Grid ESO will not need to implement planned power cuts this winter. However, if they do, a robust plan has been established to minimise the length of time you would be without power – typically around 3 hours at a time. You do not need to do anything – the power will be turned off and back on automatically.

How will I know I’m affected by one of these power cuts?
We have plans in place to be able to communicate to our customers quickly if this situation evolves. If you have provided us with a mobile phone number you’ll receive a text message from us, , and we’ll provide as much notice as possible. You’ll also hear about it on the news and announcements from National Grid ESO and Government, where advice will also be provided.

Can I be excluded from the power cuts?
A very limited number of sites are protected from emergency power cuts. These are typically locations which are deemed to be critical national infrastructure, such as air traffic control centres and major hospital facilities with accident and emergency departments. Domestic properties are not eligible for this as there is a very specific set of requirements which include providing national or regional services.

There are some specific suggestions for customers with medical conditions –

Oxygen dependency?
If you use an oxygen tank, please make sure you have a backup oxygen tank. Replacements can be obtained from Dolby Vivisol or Air Liquide, the companies that provide oxygen on behalf of the NHS. Your oxygen provider can help you with reducing your oxygen flow if required.

Use of nebuliser or apnoea monitor?
Experts recommend that you purchase a backup battery for your sleep apnoea machine. These can sometimes be provided by the NHS if your medical condition means you may be a serious health risk without the equipment. You can speak to your GP or health specialist for further advice on what to do and what risks a power cut may have for you.

Stairlift, hoist or electric bed?
Some customers may wish to purchase a backup battery if they heavily depend on a stair lift, hoist or electric bed. The situation referred to in this letter would mean your power would be off for around three hours and you should consider how you will manage during that time. You should however review the instruction manual for your stair lift, hoist and electric bed so you know how to switch to a manual override. Where you receive advance warning of these power cuts, you should avoid using the equipment in the 15 minutes leading up to the time your power is expected to be turned off.

Medication in the fridge?
Most fridge/freezers will last several hours without power and retain their temperature which for most medication will suffice. However, there are some medications that require a specific temperature to be set. A battery backup should be suitable for this, but you should consult your GP or pharmacist for further advice.

There is also some general advice for all customers where power cuts may be a problem –

• Make sure your electrical provider has your mobile number, and you’re on the Priority Service Register. Landline digital phones need mains power to work, so your mobile may be your lifeline
• Keep your mobile charged , when the power is back on. If you have a backup battery, make sure it gets recharged when power is available
• Have a plan for getting in touch with friends or relatives if there’s a cut – and see if there’s a place to go near you with a different rota block letter
• Have an emergency kit in easy reach in the event of a cut – as well as the mobile, a torch with spare batteries, a battery radio for information, and some candles (use with care)

Sleep Apnoea Trust – best advice
Every sleep apnoea patient is different – degree of severity of the condition, other conditions as co-morbidities, mental attitude towards a CPAP, and background worries and concerns. However most of us have a CPAP and that joins us together. You must make your own decisions on how much you need your CPAP on a daily basis, how happy or fearful you would be without it, and what you feel you can afford to keep your CPAP going 24-7, when you need it. Medical advice is that missing one sleep period will make little difference to your condition in most cases; missing several nights in a row could have an impact on your well-being and your health, and possibly on your fitness to drive. However, you might not want to sleep without your machine, or even dread not having it available, however accurate your fears might be. Remember that all sleep is sleep, whenever in the 24 hour day you take it, but if the main danger time for cuts is the peak power period 4-7.00p.m. you probably won’t be affected much.

Our best advice is to buy a backup battery if you can afford it, and decide on how much battery you can afford to buy

• A useful minimum size is a 100 Watt hour lithium-ion battery. This will give 4-8 hours of CPAP (without humidifier) and can legally be used on long-haul aircraft for holiday use (see the Airline Guide on our website). Try to get one with a standard 3-pin socket giving 220 volts – the CPAP will plug straight in without extra cables, and the battery will take over if the mains is halted. Cost should be between £100-200 on Amazon, but check that it meets UK standards and has a local dealer for spares and technical help
• A 200-300 Watt hour battery will give at least one, maybe 2 nights sleep from £250-350. Most will also charge your phone while you sleep, and power a bedside light without compromising the CPAP, which is after all the primary item
• A 500+ Watt hour battery is better if you also take camping holidays, for £500-600. Such a unit will run several items as well as your CPAP at up to 150 watts per item, so a camp fridge, lighting and entertainment

AND FINALLY – If there are cuts, what are the chances for compensation?

You might be entitled to compensation if your gas or electricity supply goes off. What you can claim depends on:

• if it is due to planned works
• how long you don’t have gas or electricity
• if a network operator has not met standards set by Ofgem, the GB energy regulator.

Network operators are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem sets service standards network operators must meet. These include rules on how quickly operators must restore supply in normal and severe weather conditions, and compensation consumers get if standards aren’t met.

What you can claim

Compensation for power cuts in normal weather

Network companies have 24 hours to restore your power if more than 5,000 homes are affected by a single fault. If you are without power for 12 hours or more, you can claim:

• £75 as a domestic customer
• £150 as a non-domestic customer.
• You can get a further £35 for each additional 12 hours of being without power, up to a total of £300.

If you are without power more than four times in a year, for at least three hours each time, you can claim an extra:

• £75 as a domestic customer
• £75 as a non-domestic customer.

The year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Compensation for power cuts in severe weather

When you can claim depends on how Ofgem categorise storms in severe weather.

You can claim:

• £70 as a domestic customer
• £70 as a non-domestic customer
• if the power was off for 24 hours (Storm Category 1) or 48 hours (Storm Category 2). Ofgem checks and verifies storm categories.

You can get a further £70 for each additional 12 hours of being off supply, up to a total of £700.

• Additional payments and provisions are available for households on the Priority Services Register. This includes, for example, alternative heating and cooking facilities.

If you are off supply for more than 24 hours you can claim more. The amount will rise depending on how long you are without gas.

How to claim

You need to make compensation claims for supply issues to you network operator within:

• three months for unplanned supply cuts.
• one month for planned supply cuts.
• Make a claim through your local network operator

Further help

Citizens Advice and Advice Direct Scotland can help if you need support.

Citizens Advice

• Call on 0808 223 1133 or use their online webchat.
• For textphone, dial 18001 followed by the helpline number.

Advice Direct Scotland

• Visit the energyadvice.scot website
• Call 0808 196 8660 or use their online webchat
• Email energyadvice.scot 

Published by the Sleep Apnoea Trust 3^rd March 2023

Page 1                  SATAday 2023 – Preparing the Conference Agenda for Saturday 14th October 2023

Pages 2, 3           Semaglutide – The Story So Far Siobhan Harris reports for Medscape

Page 4                  The Swindon Volunteers

Page 5                  From the Chairman

Pages 6-10          The Liverpool Critical Survey-the ‘Gold Standard’ and how to make it better

Page 11               Liverpool’s new approach to CPAP delivery and first usage

Page 12               INTEGRATED CARE BOARDS LAUNCHED

Page 13               TENS machine provides cheaper and non-invasive treatment for sleep apnoea

Pages 14-15        Perioperative Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Adults

Page 16               Tale End – are CPAP patients given adequate training? Your thoughts, please!              

Download the Summer 2023 edition of Sleep Matters here.

Click here if you want to join the charity