Content

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)   
Approved a contract variation of eight months to allow time
for development of a new model for re-procurement.

b)   
Approved re-procuring the integrated community equipment
contract and continuing the lead commissioner role with North
Northamptonshire Council (NNC) 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).

c)    
Delegated authority to Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public
Health & Regulatory Services in consultation with the Executive
Director of People and the Chief Finance Officer (S151) to take any
further decisions to conclude this procurement and award the
contract.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:

a)   
Commissioners would like to make the following improvements
to the model and need the additional time to prepare for these
positive changes:
      
I.         
Put in place a self-assessment model at the front end to
enable people to source low level equipment that does not require
formal assessment and enable them to receive equipment much
quicker.
    
II.         
Explore the possibility of calling off a procurement-led
framework as lead commissioner, if developed internally. Other
councils could access a provider through this framework and
potentially generate income for the council.
  
III.         
Create a model where care homes can buy from our community
equipment catalogue. This will improve quality as all our catalogue
items are specified by NHS and council clinical staff.
 
IV.         
Offer a longer contract to give time to develop the model and
make further improvements. This has been a benefit in the current
model.
   
V.         
Extend the current service model to cover Saturday mornings
and bank holidays for equipment deliveries to support hospital
discharge and end of life support.
 
VI.         
Rename the service to the Integrated Community Equipment Loan
Service (ICELS) to serve as a reminder to people that they do not
own this equipment and it should be returned when no longer
needed.
VII.         
Aligning the contract to an April 1 contract start date is
preferable by WNC, NNC and ICB finance colleagues for reporting
purposes.
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
None