Remarkable figures have revealed the number of people using wheelchairs, rollators and other pieces of vital equipment for people with disabilities in Reading.

When an adult requests equipment to help them day-to-day, such as getting about, going to bed, showering and going to the toilet they can contact Reading Borough Council’s adult social care department for access to this.

Examples of this vital equipment includes wheelchairs, rollators, electronic stair lifts and support rails to help people with going to bed and using the toilet.

According to a report, an average of 2,455 people in Reading use such equipment, with the average net cost per service user being £256.43.

These are average figures calculated between 2017-2022.

During that period, 47,527 pieces of equipment were delivered to a total of 12,279 people in Reading.

Now, a search is due to begin for a contractor to provide vital equipment to people with disabilities throughout Berkshire.

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The current contract is held by Nottingham Rehabilitation Supplies (NRS), also known as Healthcare Pro.

Disabled people and their carers will be familiar with NRS equipment deliveries.

The six councils across Berkshire are responsible for adult social care in their respective areas, but have joined together to form a joint contract for the provision of adult social care equipment for their residents.

This joint contract is called the Berkshire Community Equipment Contract (BCES), with the search for a service provider for the coming years being administered by West Berkshire Council.

The new contract which is being sought will run for seven years, beginning in 2024 and ending in 2031.

The search was recently discussed at a Reading Borough Council policy committee meeting on Wednesday, September 21.

Reading Borough Council will pay the successful contractor  £6.486 million over the seven-year contract period.

At the meeting, Reading Borough Council’s policy committee unanimously agreed to enter into a joint procurement process for the equipment services contract from 2024-2031.

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Welcoming the search process, John Ennis, lead councillor for adult social services (Labour, Southcote) said: “Many times in the past we have seen councillors, opposition councillors and the administration have talking about the need to work together and the economies of scale.

“We often look and think we can do more of this, I think this is an excellent example, led by West Berkshire, and we should thank them for that, when the six unitary authorities across the political divide work together to get a decent contract which is as important as the equipment services disability aids for our residents.

“They need them, they really really appreciate what the equipment they may get to help support them live their lives better.”

He also praised NRS for its work to reuse and recycle equipment if they are no longer required by the disabled person.

Jason Brock, the leader of the council (Labour, Southcote) added: “It’s good when a partnership with our neighbouring authorities works well and I’m glad we can continue it.”

The search will now be administered by West Berkshire Council.