Cornwall Council awards new service contract for community equipment – AT Today

Medequip, a major UK community equipment service provider, has been awarded the Cornwall Community Equipment Loan Services contract by Cornwall Council.

The new service, jointly funded by Cornwall Council and NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB), will start on 1 October 2024. Its main focus is on improving community life in Cornwall, including the Isles of Scilly, by keeping people independent.

The service will support children and adults who have been assessed by a health or social care prescriber as requiring specific equipment, with Medequip providing the equipment on loan. Medequip says it understands that receiving the right equipment at the right time is critical to the well-being of individuals and is committed to providing safe and fully functional equipment that meets their needs.

Andy Virr, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: “Our new partnership will help us build on our existing provision and develop and integrate additional services so that we have more innovative ways of to support people to live independently in their own services. houses.

“We do everything we can to help people live in vibrant, safe and supportive communities where people help each other to live well, and this new partnership will help us achieve this for more Cornwallis.”

Medequip integrated Out of Hours provision early on into operations in the South West region. From 1 May 2024, Medequip has taken over this element of the current community equipment loan service, facilitating the delivery and installation of equipment beyond standard operating hours and ensuring that residents receive timely support when they need it most.

Michaela Harris, managing director at Medequip, explained: “We are delighted to be working with our new partners and working closely with prescribers to deliver a service that keeps people independent.

“We understand the importance of enabling individuals to live the lives they deserve and our South West regional team, supported by Medequip’s wider support functions, are fully prepared and keen to deliver this vital service. We are committed to ensuring that every person receives the proper equipment they need to live a fulfilled life.”

The scope of the service includes the provision of equipment as well as delivery and installation, repair, maintenance, collection and recycling. Medequip states that it will ensure that the equipment purchased represents the best value in terms of functionality, quality, cost, environmental sustainability and recyclability.

The community equipment service provider points out that the new Cornwall service will offer improved processes, increased equipment availability and a commitment to delivery efficiency across the county, ensuring the equipment they need gets to people faster and more reliably than before.

Kate Shields, Chief Executive, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, added: “We look forward to working with Medequip to ensure our residents have the equipment they need, in a timely manner, to support their health and well-being and to enable them to live as independently as possible.”

In addition, Medequip’s long-term, net-zero carbon reduction plan aligns with Cornwall Council’s mission to create a carbon-neutral Cornwall.

Medequip recently opened its Bedford depot, marking the successful launch of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes community equipment service, which commenced on 1 April 2024.

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