CES provider wins another outsourced contract and looks to create a single equipment catalogue

Medequip has been commissioned by Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucester Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG), Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council to manage the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) across the region for a period of five years to September 2027.

Under the new service, Medequip is looking to incorporate a number of service improvements, employing a full-time occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant. The operational side of the contract will also benefit from a new, improved ordering system and the cohesion of a single equipment catalogue across the BNSSG area.

The Medequip clinicians will provide advice and support to all BNSSG prescribers, and supplement Medequip’s existing equipment technical specialists.

Medequip has worked closely with all three local authorities and the CCG for a number of years. The latest contract has been collaboratively commissioned by the BNSSG ICES Project Group, bringing together representatives from local authorities, NHS trusts, and community health providers to manage ICES under a single contract to provide an outsourced assistive technology service.

The new approach is set to bring about “significant” benefits for NHS staff working both in the community and in hospitals across the BNSSG area. Local authority and health staff will share one system, with shared service user equipment records, using a new, improved ordering system and creating a single equipment catalogue.

In addition, Medequip will retain and enhance the teams and premises, servicing the contract in Weston-Super-Mare and Emersons Green, building on local expertise and knowledge.

Commenting on the contract award, Tom Lander, Contracts & Quality Officer for Bristol Community Equipment Service, stated: “BNSSG ICES commissioners look forward to continuing our work with Medequip in the coming years, building on our current contractual relationships to provide a valuable equipment loan service for the people of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

“The equipment loan service is crucial in underpinning the health and social care systems across the region, benefiting many thousands of adults and children.”

The new single contract will commence on 1 October 2022, running for five years to 30th September 2027, with an option for commissioners to extend for up to two years after this date. It will be held and managed by Bristol City Council on behalf of and reporting to the joint local commissioners.

Michaela Harris, General Manager for Medequip in the South West & Suffolk, said: “On behalf of myself and the teams at Weston Super-Mare and Emersons Green, we are all extremely proud to be able to continue working with the BNSSG Commissioning teams and most importantly continuing to provide a high quality service across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire regions.

“We look forward to building on our existing relationship and enhancing the service over the coming years.”

Alongside practical service enhancements, Medequip is committed to using power from sustainable sources across its operations and will procure additional fully electric vehicles to service this contract as part of the company’s commitment to clean air initiatives. Medequip has been adopting new technologies to reduce CO2 and NOx emissions since Autumn of last year, and more than 10% of the national fleet is now 100% electric powered.

In 2020, Medequip won a competitive tender to manage Integrated Community Equipment Loan Services provision for a five-year period in Sheffield on behalf of Sheffield CCG and Sheffield City Council.