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-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.

The cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing introduced the report. It was highlighted that the report is recommissioning the integrated community service equipment, referred to as ICES.  It was noted that this was a joint service between Herefordshire Council and NHS Hereford and Worcester integrated care board (ICB).   It was noted that both organisations have a statutory duty to provide community equipment as set out in the Care Act 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014.  It was confirmed that the contract with NRS healthcare ends on the 31st of March 2025.

It was noted that the service provided free and appropriate equipment to meet the assessed eligible needs of people of all ages.  It is an important preventative service that enables more people to remain living safely and independently in their own homes and communities for longer.  It was highlighted that it specifically helps with reducing unnecessary admissions to hospital and confirmed it helped reduce discharge delays from hospital.  It was noted that the service predominantly supported older adults however it also supported a small number of disabled children including providing equipment to education facilities to improve and enhance the child’s access and attendance. 

There were no comments from Cabinet members. 

Group leaders gave the views of their groups. The report was welcomed, and it was noted it was a useful service, relied on by many residents in Herefordshire. 

It was raised that returning the equipment at the end of the loan could be improved. It was also requested that reuse and recycling of the equipment was made clear in the contract.

Regarding companies applying for the tender, it was raised that Herefordshire has a larger than average proportion of older people in the county and not a predominantly older population.

Reassurance was sought if the KPI’s were the correct ones for this contract and it was queried if there were contingency plans should the cost of the contract increase. 

In response to the queries, it was confirmed that returning and reusing the equipment was part of the contract.

It was confirmed that the KPI’s had been seen by the cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing and they were satisfied with them. 

Regarding the need increasing for this equipment, it was advised that this need could not be forecast, and the focus also needed to be on keeping people as healthy as possible to reduce the need for this equipment.  It was confirmed that a lot of work was taking place regarding this.   

That Cabinet

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