The Community Equipment Service supplies and fits equipment and minor adaptations to enable children and adults with disabilities to live at home.
The equipment is designed to promote personal independence, safety and mobility. It is also supplied to the health and social care practitioners to help in the course of their work in the community.
You might need community equipment for different reasons:
- To make a return home easier after a hospital stay or major operation.
- To prevent admission to hospital or into residential care.
- To prevent falls and accidents.
- As an essential section of the community health and rehabilitation services.
- To help carers provide the necessary care.
- As an essential part of community and continuing care.
Who can receive equipment?
In order to determine what equipment we should loan to you, you will need an assessment of need by a social worker, community care officer or an occupational therapist. This will make sure that any equipment is designed to meet your current and future needs.
The service use guidance to work out what is appropriate to meet your needs. This helps to make sure that people are treated fairly and that those most in need receive services. Sometimes you may be able to assess your own needs to identify the equipment you need.
Criteria for Access: Individuals need to have an assessment which will identify their specific needs.
Customers can contact Sunderland Council Customer Service Network on 0191 520 5552 to complete a self-assessment for certain low level pieces of equipment.
Sunderland Care and Support also have the facility to sell equipment to individuals and organisations. Further information relating to equipment can be gained from the Prevention and Equipment Service Hub Operational Manager.