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Life Support Equipment

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If anyone at the property has life support equipment, it’s important to let us know so we can help keep you safely connected to power.

If you have life support equipment at the property, it may rely on electricity for the equipment to work.

Sometimes, however, your power needs to be turned off for scheduled maintenance or repairs within your building or by Western Power.

Knowing more about your medical equipment means we can ensure that Western Power is advised of your needs so that they can prioritise the restoration of power to your property.

 

Life Support Equipment

  • What is considered life support equipment?
    The WA Government has determined that the equipment listed below currently qualifies as life support equipment.

    • Ventilators - VPAP or BPAP
    • CPAP machine
      • Adult - when clinically prescribed for adults with obesity hypoventilation syndrome, tracheomalacia, obstructive sleep apnoea with sleep hypoventilation, or other life-threatening disease as determined by a specialist with usage over four hours per night.
      • Child - when prescribed for severe obstructive sleep apnoea, tracheomalacia or other life-threatening disease as determined by the treating specialist.
    • Oxygen Concentrator (Adult - standard capacity)
    • Oxygen Concentrator (Adult - high capacity “New Life Intensity”)
    • Oxygen Concentrator (Child - standard capacity)
    • Feeding Pump
    • Suction Pump
    • Apnoea Monitor (Child only)
    • Heart Pump
    • Nebuliser
      • Adult - when a tracheostomy is expected to be in place for more than 6 months and nebulised therapy is required for life support purposes.
      • Child - when used every day for 1-2 hours per day
    • Machine Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis Equipment (cycler or heater)

  • Registering your life support equipment
    Download, print and fill out the life support registration application form below.

    You will also need a medical specialist to complete part of the form and confirm the equipment required.

    Return your form to us by e-mail or by post.

     

  • Create an action plan for unexpected outages
    We recommend that you talk to your medical practitioner and put a plan in place for any unexpected outages. Here's some options to help to start the conversation:

    • Always have an alternative power source nearby - such as a battery back-up system or a generator
    • Keep emergency phone numbers handy - for your doctor, fire department, police and ambulance services
    • Know the location of your nearest hospital
    • Always have a phone available that doesn’t rely on mains power
    • Have a battery-operated radio on hand with fresh batteries
    • During a storm or potential emergency situation, listen to the radio to keep up to date with the latest conditions
    • Be fully prepared to leave your home if an extended outage occurs

    If your property loses energy unexpectedly and someone is dependent on life support equipment, follow your action plan. If you require emergency medical assistance call 000.

     

  • Life support concessions
    You may be eligible for the Life Support Equipment Electricity Subsidy Scheme.

    For more information, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/service/community-services/grants-and-subsidies/make-energy-subsidy-enquiry