Skip to content
Stay Prepared

if you are on dialysis and there is a power cut or water outage

This is preparedness guidance, not medical advice. Talk to your dialysis unit and kidney doctor now about what happens in a power cut or water outage. See the medical disclaimer for what this means.

Haemodialysis is usually needed 3 times a week. Missing a session can be dangerous, because potassium and fluid build up in the body. Your unit will have a plan for outages: ask for it now.

Peritoneal dialysis does not use mains water. If you use a machine overnight, ask your team how to switch to manual exchanges if the power goes off.

what to do now

  1. Register with the Priority Services Register

    You rely on powered medical equipment. This gets you early warning of planned cuts and priority help if one happens.

  2. Ask your dialysis unit their backup plan

    Which unit would you go to if yours closed? Who calls you if a session moves? If you dialyse at home, what should you do in a power cut or water outage?

  3. Keep your medical history written down

    Your condition, medicines, allergies, fistula or line side, and your unit's phone number. A copy in your bag and one at home.

  4. Ask about an emergency diet

    Your unit can give you a diet and fluid limit to follow if a session is delayed. It slows the build-up of potassium and fluid. Keep it with your medical card.

  5. Know when to call 999

    Chest pain, a very fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, severe breathlessness or sudden weakness: call 999 and say you are on dialysis.

  6. Keep a few days of medications at home

    Order repeat prescriptions early so there is always a week in hand.

what to have ready

Check what you already have first, then buy only what is missing.

check your cupboard see the ready-made kits

Some links here earn us a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

where this comes from

Sources checked 25 September 2026.

more short answers