Issue details

Proposed decision:

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health is asked to:

i.              APPROVE the revised model for the Community Equipment Service and the arrangements to secure the appropriate contract for a period of five years from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029, with the option for a contract extension of a further two years from 1 April 2029 to 31 March 2031;

ii.            DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, to finalise terms of and award contracts to the successful provider and to approve, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Corporate Director Finance, the exercise of any extensions permitted within the agreed contacts; and

iii.           DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as required to implement the decision.

Reason for the Decision:

The current Integrated Community Equipment Service is jointly funded by Kent County Council (KCC) and the NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board. The contract covers the purchase, delivery and repairs/servicing of equipment into people’s homes. The service enables people to live more independently for longer and supports timely discharge from hospital.

All items of equipment are loaned to people and when no longer needed are collected. Where possible items are recycled and reused. A range of credits are received by KCC, on some items of reused equipment.

Following the decision to devise and procure a new service model for the provision of community equipment (Decision 22/0081), the council has led programme of procurement activities to prepare for the commissioning of a new service. Extensive engagement and co-design work has taken place with people who draw on care and support, including those with lived experience; prescribers of such equipment in health and social care professions and the market. This has informed the design of a new model for a Community Equipment Service. 

The new service model will align to the priorities of ‘‘Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council Strategy 2022 – 2026’ and will: -

1. Narrow the gaps in outcomes between different parts of Kent with a particular focus on providing the right type of equipment to improve life in deprived communities.
2. Harness digital connectivity and innovation to ensure people are aware of all their options and have access to all the equipment and services they need and want.
3. Contribute to the Net Zero targets, by exploring options to reduce the carbon footprint of the service.
4. Manage future demand and resource challenges facing the service to ensure it continues to support people to lead the lives they want to live in the future.

The preferred model remains a loan and recycle model but has the following additional benefits:

·         An enhanced (85%) credit model with increased recycling linked with Waste Management Services.

·         Digital signposting to support people who wish to self-purchase.

·         A partnership approach to support adaptability, innovation and collaboration.

·         A greater choice in delivery and collection times.

·         Improved equity of service access.

·         Improved financial and environmental sustainability through greater recycling/reuse of equipment, increased credit model and options to self-purchase.

The specification for the new model has no reduction in service or eligibility.

Other options considered but rejected are as follows:-

The council is using the nationally available and PCR (2015) compliant Kent Commercial Services Framework. Four of the largest providers of community equipment are on the Framework. The opportunity to bid for the new service will be published in August 2023. The contract will be awarded in October 2023, allowing for a five-month mobilisation period in order that the new service is operational by 1 April 2024.