SSEN partners with NHS Highland to help customers

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and NHS Highland have been working together to ensure that customers who require extra assistance to live independently at home this winter are aware of the Priority Services Register (PSR).

19th December 2017 by Networks

SSEN partners with NHS Highland to help customers

Since the start of the partnership just over a year ago, SSEN and NHS Highland have been working closely to make sure NHS Telecare clients are aware of the extra support and assistance available to them during a power cut by joining SSEN’s Priority Services Register (PSR).

The organisations have now signed a data sharing agreement to enable any new NHS Highland Telecare clients to have their details shared securely with SSEN’s Priority Services Team who will then proactively contact customers to ensure they are receiving the support they need.

SSEN’s Priority Services Register is free to join for customers who may need extra support during a power cut or planned supply interruption. The service offers a dedicated 24 hour freephone number; provides reassuring calls or texts to keep customers informed, particularly prior to or during network outages; provides information in the format customers need – for example Braille or audio CD – and adapted services or even temporary generation for customers relying on electrically-powered medical equipment during planned or unplanned network outages.

Julie Walker, social obligations manager at SSEN, said: “As a responsible network operator, particularly as we’re now in the winter months, it is vital we reach out to eligible customers who may need extra assistance during a power cut to make sure they are receiving the free help and support they’re entitled to. Our priority is to provide a safe and secure supply of electricity to our communities in the north of Scotland, but as we saw during Storm Caroline there are still some situations beyond our control when adverse weather conditions can affect customer supplies.

“By partnering with organisations like NHS Highland and building on our current relationship, we can help support customers who are living independently at home relying on electronic equipment to keep them safe. We are delighted to develop our partnership with NHS Highland even further by moving forward with our data sharing agreement, and we hope this helps as many clients in the Highlands as possible, some of whom live in very remote and rural locations.”