The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on 18 September 2025, addressed the urgent need to secure a new provider for the Integrated Community Equipment Service following the liquidation of Nottinghamshire Rehab Ltd (trading as NRS Healthcare). Councillor Das Neves approved the direct award of a contract to a new provider, and agreed to mobilisation costs, to ensure the continuation of essential services for vulnerable residents. The meeting also covered filming at meetings, apologies for absence, declarations of interest, urgent business, and deputations/petitions/questions.

Integrated Community Equipment Service Contract

To ensure the continuation of vital services, Councillor Das Neves approved the award of a contract to a new provider for the Integrated Community Equipment Service, with a maximum sum of £4.5 million for the first year. The contract is for two years, with the option to extend for an additional year, and will commence on 19 September 2025. The council also approved £62,500 to cover its share of mobilisation costs.

The decision was made necessary due to the compulsory liquidation of NRS Healthcare, the previous provider, on 1 August 2025. NRS Healthcare had been operating with a reduced service, managed by PWC as special manager, while local authorities sought alternative arrangements.

The report considered several options:

• Do nothing: Rejected due to the risk of harm or death to residents from delays in providing or repairing equipment, and the potential impact on patient flow from hospitals.
• Develop an in-house offer: Rejected due to insufficient in-house resources, expertise, and time to meet demand.
• Competitive procurement: Rejected as a minimum of 18 months would be needed to procure competitively, which was not feasible given the urgency.
• Utilising an existing framework agreement: Rejected as no suitable frameworks were identified.
• Direct award: Recommended as it enables the council to secure a suitable supplier for the provision of community equipment for vulnerable residents.

The new contract will be managed through the North London Equipment Partnership (NLEP), a consortium arrangement with seven other London boroughs¹. The council has been working closely with these boroughs (Camden, Barnet, Islington, Hackney, Harrow, Brent, and Hammersmith & Fulham) to find a solution.

The Community Equipment Service provides essential equipment to adults and children living at home, supporting independence and facilitating early discharge from hospital. This equipment ranges from basic aids for daily living to specialist beds and hoists. In June 2025 alone, 17,000 pieces of equipment were delivered to 2,500 residents.

The report noted the importance of the service in meeting the council's and the NHS's statutory duties, including the Care Act 2014² and the NHS Act 2006³. The service contributes to several outcomes, including:

• Reducing unscheduled hospital admissions and A&E attendance.
• Reducing the length of hospital stays.
• Reducing the costs of long-term care.
• Promoting independence, safety, social inclusion, and quality of life.
• Improving Early Year's development.
• Supporting unpaid carers and parent carers.

The report also highlighted the risks of failing to secure a reliable supplier, including the detrimental impact on the health and safety of residents, the inability for residents to return home safely from hospital, and significant reputational risk to the council.

Payment of the London Living Wage⁴ will be a condition of the contract.

The Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, Sara Sutton, authorised the report, with Jo Baty, Director of Adult Social Services, as the lead officer.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Item 8 on the agenda, the Exempt Appendix relating to the Integrated Community Equipment Service contract, was subject to a motion to exclude the press and public due to the inclusion of exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972⁵, specifically information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons.