Medequip launches new Integrated Community Equipment Loan Service in Essex
Community equipment specialist Medequip has assumed responsibility for the Integrated Community Equipment Loan Service (ICELS) for Essex County Council and its partners.
Medequip has been providing the service for Essex County Council alongside its partners East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Thurrock Council since the start of July 2023.
ICELS is a vital service that provides equipment designed to help individuals who have disabilities, long-term illnesses or who are recovering from surgery or accidents, to live more independently and improve their quality of life.
Taking over the role from ECL (Essex Cares), Medequip is now responsible for the supply, delivery, installation, maintenance and collection of community equipment prescribed by healthcare professionals across Essex.
Medequip is also assuming responsibility for equipment already on loan to residents from ELC, and will continue to service and collect this equipment as appropriate.
Operating from a new build logistics and support centre on the Horizon 120 Business Park in the East of England, Medequip will work closely with the council and its partners to ensure that the service is delivered efficiently, effectively, and to the highest levels of customer experience.
Additional focus will be placed on innovation and social value as drivers for the contract into the future.
The contract will be serviced by a fleet of 40 Medequip vehicles, of which 25 per cent are electric as part of Medequip’s drive to enhance sustainable operating practices. This figure will increase to 50 per cent of the fleet in 2024 when longer range vehicles become available.
In addition, the building itself has been designed and built to optimise sustainability. A minimum of 30 per cent of the projected energy requirements are provided through renewable energy technology, including PV panels installed on the roof and the provision of air source heat pumps.
The building has been built with airtight construction, high levels of insulation, solar control glazing, rooflights for natural daylighting at circa 13 per cent of warehouse floor space, high efficiency heat recovery ventilation to the office areas and high efficiency LED lighting with occupancy sensing and daylight dimming controls contribute to Medequip’s commitment to sustainability.
Gary Yandle, Medequip’s Operations Manager for Essex, commented: “I would like to extend my thanks to the New Contract Implementation Team for their hard work and dedication in ensuring a smooth handover, and also to extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues who have transferred over from ECL to our depot team to support our work on behalf of the people of Essex.”
