To approve the proposed approach to re-commissioning the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) in Herefordshire. This is a joint service between Herefordshire Council and NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The current ICES contract ends on 31 March 2025. This report details the intended approach to re[1]commission a new joint service from 1 April 2025, for up to five years. This is in line with both organisations statutory duty to provide community equipment, as set out in the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014.

That:

a) The joint re-commissioning of a new Integrated Community Equipment Service is approved to commence from 1 April 2025, for a period of two years with the option to extend annually up to a maximum contract term of five years, at a maximum contract value of £9.1million; and

b) Delegated authority be granted to the Corporate Director for Community Wellbeing to implement recommendation (a) including the tender process, award of contract and all operational decisions for the duration of the contract.

1.     Extend the existing contract: This option is neither recommended nor available. The contract has reached the end of its term, with no permissible extensions. Therefore, any extension would not comply with procurement regulations and could place the council and ICB at risk of a legal challenge.

2.     Bring the service in-house: This option is not recommended. A decision was taken to commission an external provider to manage the ICES contract, as of 1 April 2014, with a view to reducing costs and increasing service delivery. There is evidence from other councils, both within the Midlands region and similar geographic areas, that an in house service is not the most viable option, with many appointing an external provider. Even with TUPE arrangements in place, it would be challenging for the council or ICB to provide this service internally, particularly around purchasing equipment / buying power and technical expertise.

3.     Partner with neighbouring councils: This option is not recommended at this time. Initial research with neighbouring / regional councils suggests this cannot be achieved in the short term, particularly where there are operational service differences or if an external provider has recently been appointed. This option will continue to be fully investigated over the coming 12 / 24 months, to establish if a cross-council partnership will be viable.

4.     Do not commission a service: This is not recommended. The council and ICB have a statutory obligation to provide community equipment for those with an assessed eligible health or social care need. The service also forms a crucial part of the council’s prevention agenda, as it helps keep residents safe and independent in their own homes and communities for longer, delaying the need for more formal health and / or social care interventions.