Integrated Community Equipment Service

Description

Community equipment enables people who are less mobile or who require assistance to live safely and independently at home. This includes a wide range of items—from simple living aids such as wheeled walkers, raised toilet seats and commodes, to more complex equipment such as profiling beds, hoists and specialised seating. This is a loan-based community equipment service. Equipment is provided to individuals for short- or long-term use, depending on assessed need, and is collected, refurbished, recycled or replaced when no longer required. The Provider will therefore be responsible for the full lifecycle of loaned equipment, including delivery, installation, maintenance, repair, collection and reissue. The timely provision of community equipment supports safe discharge from hospital, prevents avoidable admissions, and helps people remain independent in their own homes for longer. Effective equipment provision can also reduce or delay the need for more intensive care and support and plays an important role in supporting Carers to carry out their caring responsibilities safely. Demand for community equipment continues to grow as the population ages and as more people live with long-term conditions. Increasingly, health and social care services are working in an integrated way, and pressures across the wider system mean that having the right equipment, delivered at the right time, is essential to achieving positive outcomes. The contract will be entered into by Cheshire West Council but both Cheshire East and ICB for Cheshire will be able to call off equipment. Keywords: mobility, equipment