Kent community equipment appeal helps address supply chain problems

An appeal to people in east Kent to return much-needed community equipment has proven successful with two containers being filled in a few weeks.

Since launching the equipment return appeal, more than 60 pieces of equipment have been returned to drop off points.

Outsourced community equipment service (CES) provider NRS Healthcare has been working with Kent County Council and NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to set up dedicated drop-off points at hospitals in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate.

Tom Lindsey, Customer Service Manager for NRS Healthcare, commented: “The response from the public these last couple of weeks has been amazing. Within the first two weeks of the campaign being introduced, we have managed to collect and clean over 60 items of equipment that have been subsequently reused in the community. The return and recycling of this equipment allows us to provide vital equipment for even more people in the community enabling them to be more independent and live a better quality of life.”

Items that are loaned by the NHS or the council through NRS Healthcare can be returned. They include commodes, crutches, walking frames, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, free-standing toilet frames, perching tools, chair raisers, kitchen trolleys and wheeled walkers.

Jane Miller, Kent County Councils Adult Social Care and Health Principal Occupational Therapist, said: “It’s vitally important that we recycle any unused equipment that may have been loaned to people who no longer require it. Global supply chain problems can delay the arrival of some new items so our recycle and reuse approach is more important now than ever. This not only means we have equipment available when we need it but also helps services save money. Help us to help others.”

Almost all the items collected have since been repaired or recycled, ready to be used by others in need. Mobility equipment can help people in hospital get home quicker and enables people to live in their homes independently for longer.

Equipment drop off points are at the following locations: William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent and Canterbury Hospital and QEQM Hospital, Margate.

For people

that are who are not able to return equipment with a barcoded sticker, NRS Healthcare will collect it for free.

NRS Healthcare provides a wide variety of equipment to make daily living easier for  elderly and disabled individuals. The company says its clinically-led approach offers a “unique” way of working; fostering a long-term approach with a focus on high quality and building trust, providing a holistic understanding of service users’ needs, leading to a more responsive and tailored service.

Recently, NRS Healthcare launched a new website offering a ‘new and improved’ online experience, including a go-to source for up-to-date information and guidance on daily living aids, peer-to-peer engagement, education and support and guidance to help customers make a ‘right first time’ purchase.