If someone at home relies on powered medical equipment

Published 24 October 2026

Join the Priority Services Register, tell your energy network about the equipment, and talk to the person’s care team about a plan for a power cut.

The Priority Services Register

If someone uses medical equipment that needs electricity, the register gives them extra support in a power cut. That includes a dedicated contact for updates and a priority phone line. It’s free in England, Scotland and Wales. Check who can join on the Priority Services Register site. In Northern Ireland, use your supplier’s Customer Care Register.

A plan from the care team

Ask the equipment supplier or the person’s care team what to do if the power goes off. Write the answer on your paper list of numbers, with their phone number, so it’s there when the phone isn’t.

We don’t give advice about the equipment itself. The supplier and the care team know it, and they know the person.

If you rely on your landline

Most landlines now run over the internet, so they stop in a power cut unless they have a backup battery. If you rely on yours (for example, you have no reliable mobile signal indoors, or you use a telecare alarm), ask your provider for a backup. Ofcom expects providers to give one free to customers who rely on their landline, enough for at least 1 hour of calls to the emergency services.

Medicines and supplies, on paper

Keep a list of the person’s medicines and supplies on paper, with the rest of your numbers. It’s on the checklist. For questions about their health, ask their GP or pharmacist, or call NHS 111.

Everything we recommend is on one page: the kit.