Plans are being drawn up to help vulnerable people including those who rely on medical equipment in the event of power cuts in the East Riding.
National Grid warned in October that a worst case scenario could see rolling three hour power cuts if gas supplies run low, it has since said it thinks that scenario is unlikely.
The East Riding's director of Public Health - Andy Kingdom - says planning has been done to identify which medical, health care and care home facilities would be at risk if the power went off.
East Riding Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board heard officials from the authority, the NHS and emergency services were planning help for households and to keep schools running during possible blackouts.
Cllr Victoria Aitken, the council’s children and young people portfolio holder, told the Health Board she had spoken to Northern Power about the possibility of blackouts.
Cllr Aitken said she was concerned about what might happen to people, including children, who rely on powered medical equipment.
Carol Waudby, of the City Health Care Partnership, said they would be able identify people using medical equipment which needs electricity through their records.
Council Children and Young People Specialist Services Director Ronnie Hartley said contingency plans were also looking at how schools might be affected.
The director said:
“There are plans in terms of potential power outages based on a rota system.
“We’re looking at how they could impact schools, especially schools which cook food for others and deliver it to them, all these things a threaded through business continuity plans.”
The Board also heard the NHS had plans to pay people who need electricity for medical reasons but are struggling to afford energy bills.
Lee Thompson, the council’s adult social care lead, said no one should feel that they have to go without power and a national system is in place to support them.
NHS official Simon Cox said people should not feel they have to switch off essential equipment.
He said:
“We’ve heard stories from patients who have been discharged from hospital who are using beds that have to be plugged in who are worried about keeping their electricity on.
“It’s important for them to know that people should not feel they have to switch things off.”
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