Lancashire County and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Councils and the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board are to negotiate a new contract to provide community medical and related equipment.
The new deal aims to cut costs and improve efficiency.
It will include items such as such as hoists, hospital beds, bathing aids, toileting aids.
The starting gun for the procurement process regarding Blackburn with Darwen Council has been fired by the authority’s Adults Social Care and Health boss Cllr Jackie Floyd.
The Blackburn with Darwen spend on community equipment in 2024/2025 was £1.9 million.
Of this, council spend equated to £989,510, made up of £630,540 Adult Social Care spend (of which £347,600 is from the Better Care Fund); £247,948 Children’s Services spend; and £111,022 Education spend.
In an executive member decision authorising the community equipment re-tender, she said: “The current Blackburn with Darwen service, Medequip, was commissioned by NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, with Blackburn with Darwen Council acting as an associate.
“Contracts for community equipment services supporting residents in Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire will expire on December 31.
“This presents an opportunity to pursue efficiencies and economies of scale through the procurement of a single provider, while also streamlining policies and processes for both staff and residents.
“A joint procurement is proposed, which will be led by Lancashire County Council, working in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, and NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, all of whom will act as associates to the contract.
“This approach represents a positive step forward in the context of local government reorganisation, particularly in preparing for anticipated changes to borough boundaries.
“The proposed procurement will be led by Lancashire County Council (LCC), in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council (BwD) and NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), who will act as associates to the contract, with the potential for Blackpool Council to also join.
“Community equipment, such as hoists, hospital beds, bathing aids, toileting aids etc, is provided under the Care Act 2014, and as part of NHS community services and NHS Continuing Health Care packages, to support people to remain safe and independent in their place of residence and to contribute to an improved quality of life.
“While the current contract is scheduled to end on December 31, given the pivotal role this service plays in supporting winter pressures and facilitating hospital discharge, commencing the new contract on January 1, 2027, would present significant challenges for operational staff.
“It is therefore proposed that the new contract will commence in December 2026, with the initial contract period running alongside the incumbent provider for a short period.”
Share