‘It was like a Santa’s elves’ workshop’ – ‘I left impressed and reassured’

From walking frames and shower seats, to adjustable chairs and beds, these products are life-changers that also support residents' safe and timely return home from hospital.

In Kent, we and the NHS now use Medequip to supply, maintain and recycle this equipment.

On a visit to Medequip's Maidstone HQ, our Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care went behind-the-scenes of the supplier's impressive operation to see firsthand the hard work and organisation that goes into:

• Managing and delivering hundreds of orders a day to homes across the county
• Keeping thousands of pieces of equipment in safe and in good working order, and
• When no longer needed, collecting, cleaning, refurbishing and recycling them

Joined by Medequip’s Group Operations Director Andrew Firth, Operations Director Paul Norton and Operations Manager Sharron Nevins, Georgia toured the 58,000 sq ft site - that's around double the size of London's famous Royal Albert Hall.

It's a hive of activity with a fleet of 55-plus vans, large and small, delivering over 600 pieces of equipment a day, and collecting over 400.

KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Georgia Foster, said: “It's a fascinating facility which includes a vast floor-to-ceiling store of items for a wide range of health and care needs. I left impressed and reassured Kent’s community equipment needs are in excellent hands.

“At the start of my tour, Medequip staff spoke about the work they did when they took over as Kent’s home equipment provider last August.

“Now they’re fully focused on overseeing a smooth operation which includes running a programme of planned maintenance checks to ensure people’s equipment remains safe and reliable.

“Medequip is also a real advocate for recycling equipment and I saw staff speedily cleaning, lubricating and refurbishing used equipment. It was like a Santa’s elves workshop; calmly busy and efficient.

"Our Community Equipment scheme gives residents an easy way to return unwanted daily living aids so they can continue helping others. I’m looking forward to soon announcing an expansion of community equipment recycling points at a number of KCC Household Waste Recycling Centres.

“Providing community equipment to Kent residents is key to supporting people’s independence, social inclusion, safety and quality of life, allowing many individuals to continue living at home for as long as they wish, and are able, to.

"It was clear to me that nobody gets that more than Medequip. The commitment of everyone I met was plain to see and thanks to all involved for a very informative visit.”