The Portfolio Holder Decision Meeting of Harrow Council was held on Thursday 7 August 2025 to address an urgent issue regarding the provision of community equipment services. The meeting decided to delegate authority to officers to ensure the continuity of these vital services following the compulsory liquidation of the incumbent provider, NRS Healthcare.

Provision of Community Equipment Services

The meeting urgently addressed the critical need to ensure the continuity of community equipment services for residents of Harrow. The current provider, NRS Healthcare, entered compulsory liquidation on 31 July 2025, creating a significant risk to the supply of essential equipment such as hospital beds, hoists, and mattresses, which are vital for the delivery of health and social care services. Harrow Council has a statutory duty under the Care Act 2014 and the Children & Families Act 2014 to provide such equipment to meet the assessed needs of its residents.

Councillor Paul Osborn, Leader of the Council, was presented with a report detailing the situation and seeking delegated authority to make urgent contractual arrangements. The council, as part of the London Community Equipment Consortium (LCEC), has been working with other local authorities to secure alternative providers. Negotiations are underway with Essex Care Ltd, a Local Authority Trading Company owned by Essex County Council, to become the new primary provider.

To mitigate immediate risks, an agreement has already been reached with Accora Ltd for a time-limited contingency service, providing a smaller quantity of essential items. Discussions are ongoing with other providers to establish further contingency plans.

The decisions made at the meeting were:

• Termination of Contract with NRS Healthcare: The Strategic Director of Adults and Public Health was authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, to terminate the call-off contract agreement with NRS Healthcare Ltd if deemed necessary.
• Delegation to ICE Group or Other Authorities: The Strategic Director of Adults and Public Health was authorised to delegate the council's functions related to this matter to the Integrated Community Equipment (ICE) Group or any other relevant London local authority. This delegation aims to facilitate the entering into commissioning arrangements with a provider of community equipment, and also to accept delegation from another ICE Group member or London local authority for the same purpose. The ICE Group is a consortium of London boroughs working collaboratively on community equipment services.
• Contract with Essex Care Ltd: The Strategic Director of Adults and Public Health was authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health and the Strategic Directors of Legal & Governance and Finance, to enter into contract arrangements with Essex Care Ltd for the provision of community equipment services. The exact timing of this agreement is subject to mutual agreement on contract terms and commercial arrangements.
• Contingency Contracts: The Strategic Director of Adults and Public Health was authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health and the Strategic Directors of Legal & Governance and Finance, to enter into contract arrangements with NRS Healthcare Ltd (via its appointed liquidators) or with other provider(s) if required. This is to ensure continuity of service provision while arrangements with a principal community equipment provider are put in place.

The report highlighted that approximately 1,500 pieces of equipment are ordered monthly in Harrow, underscoring the essential nature of this service. The urgency of the decision was driven by the risk of NRS Healthcare being unable to deliver services from 1 August 2025, necessitating immediate action to ensure continuity of care and the flexibility to enter into new contract arrangements. The decision was made under urgent provisions, with call-in waived by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee due to the critical nature of the situation.

The meeting concluded that officers would report back to the Cabinet by the end of 2025 with an update on the re-commissioning of these services and any associated financial implications. It was also noted that the council is entitled to continue with its current arrangement with NRS pending the implementation of the new solution.