NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board has a statutory requirement to provide equipment for people with health care needs. All County Councils also have a statutory requirement to provide community equipment services for people with social care needs, to enable them to stay living at home as independently as possible.
Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board work together to provide an Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) for Norfolk and Waveney. Medequip is our service provider for the delivery, collection, repair and servicing of community equipment within Norfolk and Waveney.
Equipment provided
Working closely with occupational therapists and other clinicians, ICES loans equipment free of charge to enable people to stay living at home independently, reducing the need for hospital or care home admissions. The provision of equipment is often key to facilitating hospital discharges.
All equipment loaned will be provided on an individual basis to people who have been assessed as needing it.
Here are some examples of what our equipment can help with:
Getting equipment
If you’re finding some areas of daily living becoming difficult and believe you have a condition you need help with, contact our social care team or speak to your GP. A trained person will carry out an assessment to see if you are eligible for support.
If you’re eligible
We may provide you with equipment free of charge, although this isn’t guaranteed.
You might also want to think about electronic equipment (known as assistive technology) which can help you feel safer and more secure in your home.
If you’re not eligible
We may direct you to find help via friends and family, charity funding, or recommend that you buy your own equipment. If you’re looking to buy your own items, we’ve produced a guide to finding your own assisted living equipment.
Returning ICES equipment
All equipment loaned by ICES should have a Medequip label on it, showing the Medequip customer service phone number. Medequip will also accept NRS Healthcare labelled equipment.
You can also return yourself directly to Medequip: norfolkcs@medequip-uk.com
Norwich Service Centre Depot: Unit 15 & 16 Diamond Point, 31 Vulcan Road North, Norwich, NR6 6AQ
Downham Market Service Centre Depot: Unit C Downham Trade Park, St Johns Way, Downham Market, PE38 0QQ
Opening Hours: 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday – Saturday.
Please note: We cannot collect or recycle other (non-Medequip and non-NRS Healthcare) equipment that has been issued to you by a hospital, even if it is similar equipment. If it was not issued through Medequip or the previous ICES provider, NRS Healthcare, please contact the hospital that issued it for advice.
Contacting Medequip
If you have any questions regarding equipment that has recently been delivered or requires repair, call 01603 511124 or email norfolk@medequip-uk.com.
Further independent living support options
Self-care empowers you to live independently for longer, giving you the confidence to remain in your own home and complete everyday tasks safely.
For online advice, please visit medequip.livingmadeeasy.org.uk – an online self-assessment tool, giving you free impartial advice about all types of equipment, to make daily living easier.
For self-funded mobility and disability equipment options please visit www.manageathome.co.uk – Your Online Medequip Retail Store.