Provision of Community Equipment

The Council has a statutory duty to provide the integrated community equipment and service pursuant to the Care Act 2014. This includes the provision of community equipment to support independence, hospital discharge and care at home for adults and children. This is for the supply, maintenance, and collection of items. The contract was actually executed at 17:00 on 22nd September 2025 but the notice will not allow this date to be included, so the date selected in the notice has been chosen to allow the notice to be completed. Contract start date: 22 September 2025 Contract end date: 21 September 2027 The primary risk to contract performance arises from the short mobilisation period following the insolvency of the incumbent provider, NRS Healthcare, and the service formally closing on 15 September 2025. This created an urgent need to secure continuity of statutory services under the Care Act 2014. Risks include potential delays in service mobilisation, supply chain disruption, and gaps in equipment availability or maintenance during the transition. These could impact hospital discharge timelines, people’s ability to live independently, and safeguarding outcomes. Mitigation measures include a phased transition with interim ‘patchwork’ arrangements, contingency planning for high-priority equipment, and collaborative oversight from the eight-borough consortium. Possible extension date: to 21 September 2028