Agenda item

Report of Director of Children and Adult Services

The Director of Children and Adults Services submitted a report (previously circulated) providing an update on the Community Equipment Service available to residents in Darlington, and giving an update as to how the service was currently working.

The submitted report outlined the statutory obligation of the Council to provide a community equipment service and it was reported that the provision of community equipment was a key element of the Council’s strategy to increase independence through a focus on prevention, rehabilitation and care in people’s own homes.  The submitted report detailed case studies which set out how the Council, using the service, had supported people to live independently in their own homes.

It was reported that the community equipment service contract had been awarded to Medequip with effect from 1 April 2015 for a five-year period and that noformal complaints had been recorded about the service since 1 April 2018. An issues log had been introduced by the Council’s Occupational Therapy Team which would be reviewed and any issues raised directly with Medequip on a quarterly basis.

Discussion ensued in respect of the renewal of the contract with Medequip and particular reference was made to the difficulty in obtaining Darlington specific data to measure the performance of the service. The performance data had been identified as a key development for 2019/20 and that this, together with focus groups, would help to inform the decision to renew contract with Medequip beyond 2020.

RESOLVED – That the current performance of the Medequip contract and the continuing vital support that the Community Equipment Service provides, be noted.