Essential Energy: Energy provider sends SMS text to life-support customers after Brian O’Shea’s mother Gloria died in May

A major energy provider has rolled out a new 30-second alert system, after an unplanned blackout caused the death of a life-support patient. See what her family have said about the plan.

A man whose mother died because of an unplanned power outage has shared his relief after months of campaigning to improve energy provider policies.

Dubbo resident Brian O’Shea’s 80-year-old mother Gloria was a registered life support customer with Origin Energy and Essential Energy when there was a blackout between 5.07am and 5.45am on May 8, 2023.

More than four months after the incident, Essential Energy will now send a direct SMS alert to registered life-support customers within 30 seconds of an unplanned power outage.

Mr O’Shea told The Dubbo News that while he is relieved to hear the provider is implementing changes, his mother’s death could have been “easily” prevented.

“If you hear your phone, go off in the night and you know you have a family member who is unwell - you wake up because you know it’s something important,” Mr O’Shea said.

Gloria O’Shea celebrating her 80th birthday in February. Photo: Facebook.

“If there’s a bushfire, we get an alert straight away telling us to be calm or evacuate - it’s done instantaneously.

“It’s not like we’re in the stone age and we need to send smoke signals.

“They send a 14-day notice when a planned outage is going to happen but not when it’s unplanned.”

Mr O’Shea argued the energy provider did not take accountability initially as they told him his mother had to have a backup generator.

“How is an 80-year-old lady supposed to wake up from having no oxygen in her brain for a few minutes, then make her way through the dark, go outside and then connect the generator?”

Essential Energy. Photo: Tim Jarrett

An Essential Energy spokesman said they understand the importance of a reliable electricity supply for customers who depend on life support equipment.

“Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances such as wildlife, storm or bushfire activity, vehicle accidents and other impacts outside our control can disrupt the power supply,” the spokesman said.

“We encourage life support customers to be prepared in the event of an unplanned power outage and recommend consultation with a doctor or medical adviser to develop an action plan tailored to their needs.

“Customers at Essential Energy’s 30,300 registered life support premises have received correspondence outlining the SMS notification service and have been requested to confirm their mobile number with their retailer to confirm contact records are accurate.

“SMS notifications will commence across Essential Energy’s footprint from today.”