ICBs and councils have announced new partnerships to replace vital services previously provided by NRS Healthcare after it went to liquidation last week.

Deals to provide continuity of care have been announced after the healthcare equipment provider went into liquidation on Friday.

Lincolnshire County Council announced community equipment and wheelchair services were being provided by Millbrook Healthcare as of 1 August with telecare services taken over by Livity Life.

A council spokesperson said: ‘There may be some short-term disruption during this transition, but we are working to mitigate the impact. During this period, we will be prioritising support to protect those most impacted by this change.'

NRS provided around 40% of healthcare equipment to the community in England with many services focused in South East England.

In a joint statement Brighton and Hove, East and West Sussex County Councils and NHS Sussex Integrated Health and Care Board said new arrangements for rails, hoists and beds, and technology enabled care services had been put in place from 1 August.

A spokesperson said: ‘Our shared priority has been the safety and wellbeing of our residents and our teams have worked hard to minimise the impact on residents who have been receiving support from NRS Healthcare.

‘We recognise how important community equipment and technology enabled care can be for people leaving hospital or maintaining their independence at home, and we are committed to ensuring that services remain as reliable as possible, especially to those people with the highest levels of need.'

Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.

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