2020 - Community Equipment Service (BNSSG CCG, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council & South ...

Provision of an Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) for Health and Social Care services in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire areas.

The principal aim of the Service is to ensure that residents who have been assessed by a Prescriber as requiring Equipment to enable them to live independently, or with support as part of a package of care are supplied with this Equipment in a timely manner which is sensitive to their needs. Equipment provided must be clean, safe and fully functional. Equipment will be provided for use in a Service User’s own home, and in alternative locations approved by the Contract Manager.

The Service will be provided equitably across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area, meeting the needs of service users in city, urban and rural locations.

No charge is made to Service Users for the provision of this Service, provided they meet the agreed criteria and their needs have been assessed by a recognised Prescriber.

The key outcomes of this Contract are:

• That Prescribers are supported to order Equipment which meets the assessed needs of their client in a timely manner and with easy to use responsive systems
• That Service Users receive Equipment which is clean, functional and fit for purpose in the specified timeframe
• That the Commissioners achieve value for money through efficient provision of good value, quality Equipment with high rates of recycling and timely Collection of Equipment no longer required by Service Users.
• That the provision of Equipment supports the local health and social care system in maintaining people independently at home, avoiding hospital admission and facilitating timely discharge of people who have been admitted to hospital.

Possible future developments:

• Deaf Equipment – Bristol City Council currently have a separate contract for the provision of Deaf Equipment and Reablement Services. At some point in the future the Commissioners may wish the third-party Deaf Equipment and Reablement Service provider to source equipment through the ICES Provider, effectively acting as a peripheral store. In the event that this arrangement is developed, the third-party provider will be charged the tendered rates by the ICES Provider.

Other potential future service development areas:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) support - Storage and distribution of PPE will be included as an optional additional service to the contract. It will not form part of the specification or evaluation, and if parties wish to take up this service they may negotiate and agree service details with the successful supplier either individually or collectively

• Assistive Technology (stand alone and/or telecare) aka Technology Enabled Care (TEC)