Tag: winter planning

SP Energy Networks prepares 3.5m homes and businesses for adverse weather this winter

SP Energy Networks is planning to engage with 3.5 million homes and businesses, including customers across Edinburgh and The Lothians, over the coming weeks, as it helps local communities prepare for adverse weather ahead of winter.

This critical safety campaign forms part of a wider UK roll-out of communication to customers across Central & Southern Scotland, Cheshire, Merseyside, North & Mid Wales and North Shropshire, giving vital advice on how to stay safe and supported during a power cut.

By engaging with households, SP Energy Networks aims to help customers better understand what to do if the lights go out, who can access extra support through the free Priority Services Register, and the measures SP Energy Networks takes every day to keep communities safe and the power flowing.

Even though power cuts don’t happen often, being prepared can make all the difference. That’s why SP Energy Networks are sharing four simple steps everyone can take to prepare for a power cut.

To get prepared ahead of adverse weather, SP Energy Networks’ recommends:

1. Save the 105 number in your phone or write it down somewhere safe.

2. Keep a torch and some new batteries nearby.

3. Charge your phone and any power packs.

4. Have some extra blankets or warm clothes ready.

SP Energy Networks is also encouraging those who may need extra support in the event of a power cut – including people with medical equipment at home, those over 60, households with children under 5, or anyone who feels they could use additional support – to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

This free service provides tailored help and proactive updates when there are problems in a customer’s area, as well as offering a 24/7 dedicated helpline number to contact.

Kendal Morris, Customer Services Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “At SP Energy Networks, keeping our customers safe and supported is our top priority.

“While power cuts are rare, being prepared can make a big difference. That’s why we’re delivering vital safety messaging directly to homes across Edinburgh and The Lothians to make sure everyone has clear, practical advice on what to do if the lights go out.

“From knowing the national 105 number to signing up for our free Priority Services Register, this vital information helps customers feel confident and reassured that they’re ready for any eventuality this winter.”

SP Energy Networks plans to distribute over 3.5 million leaflets directly to households and businesses over the next month, with all homes across Edinburgh and The Lothians receiving a leaflet by the 20th of October.

The distribution of these leaflets forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring customers have the information they need to feel safe, supported, and prepared.

For more information and guidance on how to prepare for a power cut, visit: 

www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/powercut

RCEM Scotland calls for urgent increase in bed numbers amid warning of ‘devastating winter’

Latest data show that more than 4,000 patients faced 12-hour delays in Scottish A&Es as RCEM calls on the Scottish government to increase bed numbers and avoid ‘devastating winter’.

Monthly A&E performance figures for Scotland for September 2023 published by the Scottish government show:

  • In September 2023, there were 113,864 attendances at major A&Es in Scotland.
  • 66.50 % of patients were seen within four-hours at major A&Es (Type 1 EDs)
    • 38,114 (33.5%) patients waited over four-hours in major Emergency Departments, this is a 1.7% increase from the previous month and a 2.3% decrease from September 2022.
    • This is a decrease of 1.4 percentage points from the previous month.
    • The number waiting more than four-hours has increased by 145.5% compared with September 2019 (15,526).
  • 11,788 (10.4%) patients waited eight-hours or more in an Emergency Department
    • This is an increase of 1.1 percentage points from the previous month, and a 1.5 percentage point decrease compared with September 2022.
    • The number waiting more than eight-hours has increased by more than eight times (701%) compared with September 2019 (1471).
  • 4263 (3.7%) patients waited more than 12-hours before being seen, admitted, discharged, or transferred.
    • This figure has increased by 0.4 percentage points from the previous month. And has decreased by 1 percentage point compared with September 2022.
    • The number waiting more than 12-hours has increased by 14 times (1307%) compared with 2019 (303).
  • There were 1,811 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, the second most for any September on record.

Commenting on these data, RCEM Scotland Vice President, Dr John-Paul Loughrey said: “As we head into winter, we expect many people to attend A&Es with a multitude of conditions and illnesses, and many of them will require admission to hospital for further care.

“It is vital that with this clear expectation comes the necessary winter planning to resource A&Es, and support both clinicians and their patients through the colder months.

“We are concerned that the Scottish government’s winter plan fell short of delivering what is needed ahead of what will likely be a difficult period for emergency care.

“We desperately need to see an increase in bed numbers. This will help to reduce the dangerously high levels of bed occupancy, reduce long and dangerous delays in A&Es, and help to ensure patients are admitted to a bed more promptly.

“We continue to engage with the Cabinet Secretary and his team in good faith and raise the concerns of our members.

“To avoid what could be a devastating winter, we again urge the Scottish government to heed our calls to adopt our priorities to #ResuscitateEmergencyCare.”

The data come as figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed that nearly 4,000 people faced 24 hour waits in Scotland A&Es in the six months up to June this year.

As Dr Loughrey said: “24 hours in A&E belongs on TV, not in daily reality for patients and staff”.