The Executive Decision meeting of Waltham Forest Council on Wednesday 11 February 2026 was scheduled to discuss a direct award of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to the London Borough of Newham for the supply of community equipment. This agreement is crucial for the continued operation of the Waltham Forest Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES).

Direct Award of SLA to London Borough of Newham for Community Equipment Supply

The meeting was scheduled to consider a report outlining the rationale for a direct award of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to the London Borough of Newham to act as Waltham Forest's direct community equipment supplier. This SLA is described as critical for the effective operation of the Waltham Forest Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES).

The ICES was rapidly mobilised with Enabled Living (a LATCO of Newham Council) following the insolvency of the previous provider, NRS Healthcare. The report indicated that this new arrangement with Enabled Living and Newham Council ensured that risks to residents were mitigated and that there was continuity of an effective integrated community equipment service. This service is vital for people being discharged from hospital, helping to avert avoidable admissions into acute settings and supporting individuals to remain well in their communities.

The proposal to directly award an SLA to the London Borough of Newham was previously approved by the London Borough of Waltham Forest's Strategic Commissioning Board (SCB) in October 2025. This was linked to previously approved emergency direct award contracts to Enabled Living Healthcare, which were approved by the SCB in September 2025 and subsequently by an Executive Decision on 4 September 2025.

The report recommended that the Portfolio Lead Member for Adults and Health approve the direct award of an SLA to the London Borough of Newham for the supply of community equipment to Waltham Forest. This agreement was proposed to be effective from 4 August 2025 for an initial six-month period, with an option to extend for a further six months.

The Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) provides daily living equipment for residents of Waltham Forest, aiming to help them maintain independence at home and enabling their carers to support them safely. The service significantly impacts residents' quality of life and helps them remain safe and well in their homes. Examples of equipment provided include beds, toileting aids, rails, hoists, and specialist seating. A failure in this service could lead to delayed hospital discharges, increased hospital admissions, and a greater risk to community safety for residents with complex needs.

The report detailed that NRS Healthcare, the previous provider for the London Consortium of 21 boroughs, filed for insolvency on 1 August 2025. This necessitated rapid contingency arrangements for all member boroughs. Waltham Forest formally served notice on the integrated community equipment service provided by NRS, with services ceasing on 29 August 2025.

In response to NRS's insolvency, Waltham Forest Council directly awarded two emergency contracts to Enabled Living Healthcare (ELH) to deliver an Integrated Community Equipment Service. These were approved by the SCB and an Executive Decision on 3 September 2025. Enabled Living Healthcare has been delivering the ICES for Waltham Forest, utilising Newham Council's equipment catalogue for ordering. The London Borough of Newham applies a 3% commission per order to Waltham Forest.

The report also noted that since early November 2025, a new route for decontamination has been implemented, enabling equipment reuse, which is expected to significantly impact the overall spend on purchasing new equipment through Newham Council. Prices for community equipment through this arrangement were stated to remain consistent with previous levels. The SLA operates as a volume-based contract, with prescribers ordering directly through an equipment ordering system called ELMS. Orders exceeding £1,000 require authorisation from Team Leaders. The SLA includes an option to terminate with Newham Council at an agreed date.

The expected outcomes of this arrangement include the continuity of essential equipment services for hospital discharge and urgent care, the stabilisation of service delivery, the avoidance of adverse outcomes for residents, and the foundation for a longer-term commissioning strategy. The ICES supports statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 (prevention and wellbeing), NHS discharge protocols, and safeguarding responsibilities.

The report indicated that due to the emergency nature of the contract mobilisation, a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was not completed. However, initial analysis suggested positive impacts, including enhanced access to essential equipment for vulnerable residents and support for timely hospital discharge. An adverse impact noted was the 3% commission paid on new equipment purchased via London Borough of Newham, with mitigating measures including robust oversight of prescriber behaviour, monitoring, and decontamination.

Financially, the arrangement was estimated to have a spend of up to £600,000 for the six-month period, with a total global estimated contract value over 12 months of £1,200,000. This expenditure is funded from existing streams allocated to cover the NRS contract. The supplier is also required to provide evidence of their organisation's Climate Change / Carbon Reduction Strategies and commitments, which are to be monitored annually.

The meeting was also scheduled to include standard agenda items such as apologies for absence and declarations of interest. Executive Decisions are not publicly accessible, and a written statement or decision sheet is produced as soon as reasonably practicable after the decision is made.