Decision

a) Approved a contract variation of eight months to the current contract, this will

provide the additional time required for the development of a new ICES

model for procurement, as well as allow the necessary time to procure the

new model given the complexity and number of partners involved.

b) Approved the procurement of a new Integrated Community Equipment

Service contract, in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC)

and the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) over a period of 5

years, with the option to extend by a further 3 years (5+1+1+1). This contract

will commence on 1st April 2027, seamlessly following on from the current

contract (with the variation extension).

c) Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Adults, Health Partnerships

and Housing (DASS), in consultation with the Executive Member of Adults

and Health Partnerships, to make any further decisions to conclude this

Procurement, award the contract and take any decisions and/or actions over

the life of the contract.

Please see the link to the executive decision: Decision - Integrated Community Equipment Service - North Northamptonshire Council

Reasons for the decision

Reasons for the Recommendations - Officers would like to make the following

improvements to the ICES model and need additional time to prepare for these positive

changes:

• Put into place a self-assessment model at the “front door” to enable people to

source low level equipment that does not require a formal assessment. This will

support them to receive equipment much quicker, as they will not need to join an assessment waiting list. Further to this, it will reduce the impact of resources on

clinical and Council therapy teams, who are required to carry out these

assessments.

• Create a model where care homes can buy from the ICES equipment catalogue.

This will improve quality, as all catalogue items are specified by NHS and

Council employed clinical staff but will also offer a safer and more robust offer to

our Provider Market. This will also improve efficiencies, preventing the same

equipment having to be sourced from elsewhere, reducing transportation and

climate impacts.

• Offer a longer contract length, which allows Officers time to develop the model,

in partnership with the successful Provider, throughout the lifetime of the

contract. This approach has been demonstrated in the current contract, where

substantial improvements have been made following performance concerns

earlier on.

• The additional time for the contract variation also supports the Market. There are

limited Providers in the market currently, most recently a large supplier/provider

liquidated their business. By adding additional time, it allows the Market to

stabilise and grow. Officers can take a more informed approach if sufficient time

is given to watch, and support, the Market.

• Extend the service model to cover Saturday mornings and bank holidays for

equipment deliveries, this will support hospital discharge and end of life care.

• Rename the service to the Integrated Community Equipment Loan Service

(ICELS). The rationale behind this change is to remind people in receipt of

equipment, that it is loaned, and they do not own the equipment provided. This

further reinforces that the equipment is to be returned when no longer needed.

The ICES model is based on a reuse and recycle scheme, which is a model that

is proven to reduce contract spend, in addition to environmental factors Aligning the contract to an April 1st contract start date is preferable to all

partners regarding the financial functions of the contract. Market Engagement

exercises also indicate that this is preferred by the Provider Market.