Ventilator-dependent children's lives are at risk from energy crisis

Nurses can act and advocate for children and families as they face rising home care costs, argues complex care advanced clinical practitioner Emma Wallace

Families of children and young people requiring home ventilation to survive are among those most seriously affected by rising energy bills.

These families do not have the option of trying to minimise costs by keeping the lights off, turning the heating down, not charging non-essential equipment or working more hours. All the equipment and the hours of additional care these children require are essential to ensure their medical needs are met safely at home.

No electricity cost reimbursement or financial support for ventilator-dependent children

I kept track of the energy being used by two families