Impact of the rising cost of electricity on home mechanical ventilation patients

BTS is aware that rising costs in electricity from the 1^st April 2022 will impact particularly on those respiratory patients dependent on home mechanical ventilation, and in some cases will mean that they are unable to meet the costs of their electricity bills. These increases in costs have a disproportionate impact on patients who are dependent on electrical equipment to stay alive. Currently, there is no reimbursement or financial payments for electricity for ventilator dependent patients.

BTS has drawn these concerns to the attention of the National Clinical Director for Respiratory - the aim being that a route for financial reimbursement or support to offset the cost of using medical equipment can be identified.  

The following template letters have been produced which individual clinicians can send to their Trust CEO, for onward transmission to NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I) in support of this campaign.

Sample letter to CEOs

Sample letter from CEO to NHS/I

BTS has commented:

“The rise in energy costs is causing increased anxiety and a significant impact on quality of life for the most vulnerable individuals living in the community.  The additional concerns for us as a healthcare community are those most vulnerable patients will have a reduced life expectancy or may require unnecessary hospital admission or transfer to residential care facilities. 

“This matter needs urgent attention as we now know some patients are reducing and even discontinuing their ventilator use which will result in significant clinical harm for our respiratory patients.  In one instance, the mother of a long term home ventilation patient highlighted their annual bill for electricity had increased from £1000 to £5000.

“We recommended that the focus on any intervention be on those most vulnerable initially (eg ventilator dependant individuals receiving more than 16 hours a day ventilator support and individuals and households receiving low income benefits). 

Also, that where reimbursements were to be considered, these should include all medical devices (including suction machines, airway clearance devices, beds, hoists, feeding machines, wheelchairs etc).

“We are mindful that this is focussed on home ventilation patients, as these patients carry the greatest risk, are the most vulnerable and have no current reimbursement options.”

BTS is particularly grateful to the following individuals for their work in this area:

Dr Aash Vyas

Verity Ford

Prof Nick Hart

Dr Mike Davies

Alison Armstrong

Dr Paddy Murphy

Dr Martin Allen

Rachael Moses