Purpose

This report seeks approval to directly award a contract for the supply of Integrated Community Equipment services (ICES) to Provide Equipment Hub (previously Croydon Equipment Service). The contract will run from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026, plus 12-month extension option. This urgent award is required following notification by the current London wide consortium provider, Nottingham Rehab Ltd (NRS), that the provider will cease trading after Thursday 31 July and therefore the current contract will end on this date.

The service provides equipment to keep people safe at home and to support hospital discharge. The award of the new contract to Provide Equipment Hub will ensure uninterrupted provision of critical equipment to residents, supporting Lambeth to maintain a safe service in compliance with the council’s statutory responsibilities as set out in the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014. The community equipment service is operated as a pooled budget with South East London ICB (Lambeth) in partnership with the Council being the lead partner.

Decision

1. To directly award a contract for Integrated Community Equipment services (ICES) to Provide Equipment Hub for the period 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 with the option to extend by a maximum of 12 months to 31 July 2027.
2. To note the estimated contract value of maximum £6.672m spend for the maximum contract period 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027.