Appeal for return of specialist equipment as NHS Trust prepares for coronavirus cases

An NHS Trust has urged members of the public to return their unneeded community equipment to ensure patients can be discharged from hospital and beds can be made available.

The appeal has been made by Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS), the organisation responsible for the supply of community equipment that enables people to stay in their own homes safely and independently.

The service is delivered by NRS Healthcare, a leading outsourced provider of community equipment, wheelchairs, telecare and clinical services.

In particular, the community health trust emphasised that beds, mattresses, stools and equipment to assist in toileting and mobility are needed urgently.

Louise Molina, Operational and Transformation Delivery Manager for the Lincolnshire Community Equipment Service, said: “In order to support our hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak, it is vital we have enough community equipment to support patients who are discharged from hospital and to prevent people going into hospital who can best be supported at home.

“LCHS can assure the public that all NRS Healthcare drivers will be using the appropriate level of personal protective equipment for your household.

“Alternatively, all equipment, apart from beds and mattresses, can be left outside your front door on the day of collection.”

Recently, outsource CES providers including NRS Healthcare, Medequip, Ross Care and Millbrook Healthcare, along with the British Healthcare Trades Association, agreed to work closely together throughout the pandemic to help relieve pressures on the NHS and local authorities.