Specialist EquipmentHealth and social care professionals may be able to help you become more independent by lending you specialist equipment to help you manage everyday tasks more easily.
Examples of specialist equipment include
- long handled equipment to help you dress when you find bending difficult
- angled cutlery to make it easier to bring food to your mouth
- a higher toilet seat to help rise up more easily
- grab rails
- pressure relief mattresses
- communication aids
- sensory equipment.
The recommended equipment depends on the reason why you are having a particular difficulty. We can also loan equipment to enable a carer to care more effectively. Our specialist equipment service supply, arrange delivery and collection, and recycle equipment.
Specialist equipment on loan for as long as you need it
There is no charge for the equipment but it remains the property of Southwark health and social care at all times. It should be returned to us when it is no longer needed as it will be cleaned and used again.
Contact the specialist equipment service
Millbrook Healthcare
Southwark social services
Tel: 08704 282665
Unit 4
Sandgate Trading Estate
Old Kent Road
London
SE15 1LE
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Specialist adaptations to the home
Following an assessment of your difficulties it may be agreed that the best solution is to carry out an adaptation to your home. These can be very straightforward, for example fitting small grab rails, or be more complicated such as installing a ramp.
Adaptations in council properties are organised by the housing department. Housing associations are asked to arrange all the recommended work for their tenants.
Our home improvement agency offers a borough-wide service to elderly and disabled homeowners and private tenants who want to repair or adapt their homes. Homeowners and people who live in privately rented properties may apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to fund major adaptation work. The grant is available through the housing department. It is means tested so you may have to make a contribution.
If your property is not suitable to meet your long-term needs, advice and guidance can be given to help you move to a more suitable property.
Integrating community equipment services (ICES)
This is a Department of Health funded initiative designed to develop integrated community equipment services across health and social care, remove barriers for service users and modernise service delivery. The council, working in partnership with Southwark Primary Care Trust, has awarded Millbrook Healthcare a contract to meet the needs of service users throughout the borough.
For more information on ICES,  see the Department of Health guide to integrating community equipment services.
Further information on ICES in Southwark can be obtained by contacting
Nicholas Hanmore
Tel: 020 7525 3351
nicholas.hanmore@southwark.gov.uk
Woodmill Building
Neckinger
London
SE16 3QN
Providing equipment under the direct payments scheme
We can also provide equipment under the direct payments scheme. Direct payments is a new way to give people with care needs and carers more independence, choice and control over their care. Instead of loaning the equipment to you, we can give you a cash payment to buy the same type of equipment yourself. If you are interested in this, we can give you more information about how the scheme works and whether you are eligible when we visit.
Contact us
If you think you or someone you know would benefit from using specialist equipment or alterations to the home, contact the customer service centre on 0845 6001287 to request an assessment of need. |