People urged to return unused care equipment to store

Since it was launched in October 2009, staff have delivered over 20,000 items of community equipment, and collected 7,000 items back from service users when the items were no longer needed.

But in order to ensure the service can operate efficiently, members of the public are being asked to arrange collection of the items so that they can be cleaned, checked and re-issued.

Martin Figg, Single Operational Manager of the service, said: “In order to ensure that we continue to be able to supply all the equipment that is needed in the community, it is vital that any equipment no loner required is collected as soon as possible.

“When we are made aware that there is equipment out in the community that is not being used, we can arrange for collection so that they can be re-issued, or we can trigger an equipment re-assessment.

“By working together, we can ensure that the service is able to meet the continued demand.”

CICES is a joint venture by Carmarthenshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board.

It houses a wide range of equipment from specialised bathing and toilet equipment to hoists and mattresses, which health and social care clinicians are able to access via an online directory of equipment.

Since its launch, it has received positive feedback from service users, and has made significant improvements in terms of money and time being saved.

Cllr Pat Jones, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Social Care, said: “It is vitally important that all stakeholders work together – from service users to carers, social workers to clinicians – to ensure we can continue to deliver such an excellent service.”

For further information, contact the Equipment Service on 01554 744359 or by email at cices@carmarthenshire.gov.uk