Decision details

To seek approval to extend the current Medequip and We Care & Repair contracts, both due to end July 31st, 2022, a 1+1 extension. The reason for seeking an extension is to ensure the contracts continues and equipment is serviced, maintained effectively out in practice and minor adaptations to homes continues.

The Equipment and Assistive Technology Review has taken place over the past year and is in the final stages; this extension will allow time to focus on evaluating, agreeing, and implementing recommendations made in the reviews regarding both Medequip and We Care & Repair. This will include the development of both contracts to update their service specifications, re-baselining of activity, review of KPIs. With Medequip evaluating administration processes and overall consideration of how the service integrates with the community equipment service provided by the County Council, working closely with strategic procurement, legal and financial services. We Care & Repair will be focusing on revising the Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) approval process, as well as review whether elements of the service should be brought back in-house to be provided by GIS; as well as what should be handed over to district councils for a more locally driven service.

In coming to this decision I have given due and full regard to the requirements of the public sector equality duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) by reference to the law itself and also the relevant Equality Impact Assessment, which was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

Having fully considered all the available information, I have decided to reject the alternative options and take the recommended decision to:

1.    Approve the contracts with Medequip and We Care & Repair being changed from a two-year extension option after the initial five-year term expires on 31 July 2022 to a 1+1 extension option

2.    Approve the exercise of the option to extend the contracts with Medequip and We Care & Repair for the initial one-year period from 1 August 2022

3.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning, to determine whether to exercise the option to extend the contracts with Medequip and We Care & Repair for a final period of one year from 1 August 2023

For the reasons set out in the report.