Equipment
What is it?
The term ‘community equipment’ refers to a wide range of items that have been designed to help people (adults and children) who experience difficulties with day to day activities, to remain independent in their own homes.
Typical equipment available includes:
- Toileting and bathroom equipment: Raised toilet seat, toilet surround frame, commode, grab rails, bath board, bath seat, bath lift
- Kitchen Equipment: Perching stool, trolley, special cutlery, tap turners and special openers
- Bedroom and seating equipment: Pressure relieving mattresses, mattress elevator, dressing aids, raises to make your bed or chair higher
- Mobility and transfer equipment: Walking sticks, frames, hoists. Wheelchairs are not provided by this service but are provided by Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster Wheelchair Service. Ask your assessor for more details or contact the Wheelchair Service on 020 7316 6910 www.westminster-pct.nhs.uk/services/wheelchair.htm
- Sensory Needs equipment: For the deaf and hard of hearing: door bell and telephone alerts, special alarm clocks and For those with a visual impairment: special lighting, liquid level indicator, talking clock/watch
How do I get equipment
All equipment provided by health and social services will be based on the assessment of your individual needs. You can obtain an assessment of your needs from your nurse, therapist or social care worker, whether you are at home, or in hospital.
The majority of items of equipment can be provided by both health and social services. This will however depend on the type of equipment and the skills and training of the assessor. Some equipment requires a more specialist assessment and it may be that the professional with the appropriate skills is employed only by health services. For example, a physiotherapist for particular walking aids, or a district nurse for a pressure relieving mattress. Additionally wheelchairs are a specialist NHS service and cannot be provided by social services.
After your assessment, your assessor will send an order to Medequip, our equipment contractor, for the equipment you need.
In most cases you should receive your equipment within 7 working days after your assessment.
The Disabled Living Foundation has a large Equipment Demonstration Centre located in the north of Westminster at 380-384 Harrow Road, W9. It is open Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 17.00 hours, and has qualified therapists who are able to offer independent and expert advice. It is advisable to make an appointment on 020 7432 8014. The centre also has a special area that displays items of equipment available through Westminster’s Community Equipment Service. Further information can be found on their website.
For more information refer to the leaflet Equipment for Independent Daily Living
Who do I contact?
You need to talk to your care manager or social worker. If you do not currently have a care manager, you can
contact the care management office covering the area you live.
Is there a charge?
If your assessor has ordered the equipment for you, the equipment will be on loan to you and you will not have to pay for the items of equipment you receive.
- You may wish to consider having a direct payment for equipment. This will enable you to purchase the equipment to meet your assessed needs through a cash payment.
