We help people to live in their own homes more easily by providing a range of equipment. The equipment can range from a simple walking stick to a more complex item like a mobile hoist.
To receive this service you must be assessed and eligible for social care support.
Buying your own equipment
If you do purchase your own equipment you will be responsible for any repairs or any servicing needed.
- Living made easy – Impartial advice and information about daily living equipment, developed by the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
- Equipment suppliers – SearchOut Warwickshire - list of local suppliers
Using direct payment to buy equipment
If your assessment shows you need the piece of equipment you can use your direct payment to purchase it rather than borrow it from us.
This will mean that you will own the equipment and are therefore responsible for repairs or any servicing needed.
A direct payment is not a substitute for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). DFG’s are used to make changes to your home, such as installing ramps.
What equipment is available to me?
We provide a range of equipment but first, you will need to arrange for an assessment. The assessor has to ensure that you need a piece of equipment before they can issue it.
We will loan you the equipment, free of charge.
We can also help with assistive technology such as sensors, monitors and alarms.
The service currently does not provide:
- wheelchair services
- sensory equipment
- communication equipment
Sensory equipment
For equipment relating to the loss of hearing, please contact:
Physical Disability and Sensory Services (PDSS) team, Kings House, 4 Floor, Kings Street, Bedworth, CV12 8LL
Telephone: 01926 413045
Textphone: 01926 413015
Email: pdssreferral@warwickshire.gov.uk
For services and equipment relating to visual impairment please contact:
Warwickshire Vision Support, 5 Charles Court, Budbrooke Road, Warwick, CV34 5LZ
Telephone: 01926 411331
Email: enquiries@warwickshire.vision
Website: warwickshire.vision
What happens next?
We will make an appointment with you to deliver and install the equipment. You will be given a demonstration on how to use the equipment safely, either by a health and social care professional or an equipment technician.
How long do I keep the equipment?
You keep the equipment for as long as you need it – we will contact you to see if you are still using the equipment at regular intervals.
If your needs change you can ask for a re-assessment, which may mean your equipment is exchanged for something more suited to your needs.
Can I assess myself?
We are working with an organisation called Ask SARA to provide an online, risk-free assessment service. This can help you find out what equipment is available to you.
There are lots of items of equipment that could help you, for all parts of your home including:
- grab rails
- raised toilet seats
- bath boards
- tap turners
Community Equipment Loan Service
Community equipment loan services are essential for people who need social care support at home. They help them live with more independence and dignity.
Warwickshire County Council and NHS Coventry and Warwickshire work together to provide the Community Equipment Loan Service.
Medequip is our service provider for the delivery, collection, repair and servicing of community equipment within Warwickshire.
Equipment provided
Working closely with occupational therapists and other health and social care professionals, the service loans equipment free of charge to enable people to stay living at home independently and reduce the need for hospital or care home admissions. Issuing equipment is often key to facilitating quicker hospital discharges.
All equipment loaned will be provided on an individual basis to people who have been assessed as needing it.
Getting equipment
If you're finding some areas of daily living becoming difficult and believe you have a condition you need help with, you may be eligible for social care support. Visit our assessing and reviewing your needs webpage to find out what support may be available to you. If eligible, a trained person will carry out an assessment and advise on what equipment can be prescribed on loan.
Contacting Medequip
If you have any questions about recently delivered equipment or equipment that requires repair, please call 024 7685 8453 or email warwickshire@medequip-uk.com.
Returning community equipment
All equipment loaned by the Community Equipment Loan Service should have a Medequip label on it, showing the Medequip customer service telephone number. Medequip will also accept equipment with a Millbrook Healthcare label.
If your equipment is no longer required and ready to be returned, please call 024 7685 8453 or email warwickshire@medequip-uk.com.
You can also return equipment yourself directly to Medequip:
Binley Service Centre Depot: Medequip, Site B, Leofric Business Park, Progress Close, Binley, Warwickshire, CV3 2TF.
Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm Monday – Saturday.
Further independent living support options
Self-care empowers you to live independently, giving you the confidence to remain in your own home and complete everyday tasks safely.
The council’s Living Well webpages are a great source of information for anyone wanting to maintain a better standard of physical and mental wellbeing, including an online self-assessment tool with all types of equipment to make daily living easier.
For self-funded mobility and disability equipment options, please visit manageathome.co.uk.