Millbrook Healthcare takes over Worcestershire’s Promoting Independent Living Service
Integrated community equipment service provider Millbrook Healthcare has taken over the contract for Worcestershire’s Promoting Independent Living Service, to deliver the home improvement agency for the six district councils in Worcestershire.
Its 22-strong team will be based in its office in Martley, seven miles outside of Worcester City Centre. The team includes customer service coordinators, technicians, caseworker/technical assistants, technical officers and an occupational therapist.
The firm will be providing a minor adaptations and handyperson service aimed at preventing falls at home which will include installing facilities such as rails, ramps, half steps and fixed toilet frames, to make it easier for its customers to move around their homes safely.
Miscellaneous items, such as key safes and lever taps, will be provided to help people stay independent for longer
The service provider’s major adaptations service will be available for works over £1,000 that have been assessed by an occupational therapist or trusted assessor to help people live at home and to enable safe access to their bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
It will be responsible for all essential repairs – such as roof, chimney, window renovations, heating and electrical rewiring works – where there is a healthy and safety risk to householders.
Dedicated funding will also allow the firm to carry out works to customers’ homes, such as installing stairlifts and showers, or property deep cleaning or providing other household items, to facilitate fast track hospital discharge for customers who would otherwise be prevented from being discharged to go home.
A service to provide alternative housing for customers who are unable to continue living in their current home will be offered, such as by navigating the choice based lettings systems for local housing associations, helping owner occupiers access services to arrange for sale of their home and helping to organise removal services. It will also provide information about local care home and retirement housing.
The services of an in-house occupational therapist will be provided, and they will be working closely with the local community teams providing occupational therapy services that can be accessed for ongoing cases by its team, private customers and those who have been waiting the longest time on the community team waiting list.
Kate Curran, Service Centre Manager at Worcester HIA said: “Joining Millbrook Healthcare Group in April 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was an interesting time with lots of challenges, not least because we couldn’t carry out some of our jobs on site.
“However, over the past year, we’ve come together as a team to make a difference to people’s lives and we’re pleased that with lockdown restrictions easing, we can get back to all our jobs on site.”
Millbrook Healthcare specialises in the provision of community equipment, wheelchair, assistive technology and home improvement agency services to the NHS and local authorities.
The company acquired Ross Care – a major provider of wheelchair services and mobility equipment on behalf of NHS and local authorities – at the beginning of February, substantially increasing its medical services portfolio and mobility retail proposition.
