The purpose of this
policy is to outline the principles regarding the provision of
community equipment via the Integrated Community Equipment Services
(ICES) to adults living in care homes
with or without nursing.
·
‘adults’ are defined as 18 years of age or above
·
‘care home’ is defined in this guidance as a care home
with nursing or care home without nursing registered under the Care
Quality Commission (CQC)
·
‘community equipment’ is equipment provided via ICES
integrated Community Equipment Services
·
‘ICES Prescriber’ is a health or social care
practitioner or other professional who is authorised to access the
ICES Pooled Budget to prescribe community equipment via ICES
·
‘person in charge’ is defined as the most senior person
in charge of the care home on the day
·
Adults living in CQC registered care homes with or without nursing
have the same access to the provision of community equipment via
ICES, to meet their individual assessed need as those adults living
in their own home.
·
Community equipment provided via ICES supports the whole systems
policy in respecting and supporting an individual to live and die
in the place of their choice.
·
Provision of community equipment via ICES will be based on the
outcome of an assessment, of an individual, carried out by a health
or social care practitioner or other professional who is an
authorised ICES Prescriber, and it is to meet an identified
assessed need, which is eligible for community equipment provision
via ICES.
·
The provision of community equipment will aim to promote the
client’s independence and quality of life and may alleviate
the physical demands experienced by the care home staff.
·
Ethnic, cultural and lifestyle preferences of the client will be
considered and taken into account as part of the assessment
procedure.
·
Community equipment provided via ICES will be for the exclusive use
of the person for whom it was prescribed in the environment for
which it was assessed.
·
Community equipment will be provided via ICES for as long as
required by that individual. Following assessment and the
resulting provision of equipment, the ICES Prescriber will ensure
safe use of the equipment has been demonstrated to the client and
person in charge at the care home.
·
The care home is responsible for ensuring safe use by the care home
staff and that the care home staff are competent and confident in
using the equipment in the care of the individual.
·
Day to day visual and other daily checks and cleaning, pre and
post-use are the responsibility of the care home staff following
the manufacturers' recommended instructions for use, and local or
additional guidelines provided by the Prescriber.
·
All repair, replacement and maintenance of community equipment
provided via ICES will be carried out by the ICES service
provider.
·
The care home provider will be responsible for contacting the ICES
service provider to report any problems or faults with the
equipment and to arrange collection of the equipment when no longer
required by the individual.
·
The care home provider will be responsible for reporting any
changes or concerns for that individual in regard to the safe use
of equipment, to the relevant assessment team, in order to arrange
or refer for a re-assessment of the individual.
Responsibilities and provision of
equipment by care home
providers
It is the
responsibility of the care homes to meet all their regulatory
requirements ensuring the premises, furniture and equipment are
suitable to meet the care and support needs of the clients using
the service.
Care homes are
expected to provide a general range of equipment ensuring it is
accessible, clean, safe and suitable for use. The range of
equipment typically required by the clients using the service will
be the responsibility of the care home provider to
determine.
The general range of
equipment includes, but is not limited to, beds and mattresses,
chairs and bathing equipment, that is most appropriate to the care
and support provided.
CQC registered care
homes (without nursing) are expected to provide a reasonable range
of basic equipment. CQC registered care homes (with nursing) are
expected to provide a reasonable range of basic and more complex
equipment typically required to meet the nursing care needs.
Care
homes are expected to provide, as a minimum, basic standard sized
attendant propelled wheelchairs intended for transit use. Further
information can be found at:
https://www.millbrook-healthcare.co.uk/contact-us/service-centre-locations/wheelchair-services/east-sussex-wcs/
Where a
resident’s needs cannot be met by the equipment provided by
the care home, then a referral for an assessment to be undertaken
by a health or social care professional should be made.
Assessment for provision of community equipment
via ICES.
The assessment must be
carried out by a health or social care professional e.g.
Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, nurse, or other
professional, who is authorised to access the ICES Pooled Budget to
prescribe community equipment.
Referral routes for
assessment will vary depending on the needs of the client and may
require more than one healthcare professional to be involved in the
assessment.
Following assessment
and the resulting provision of equipment, the ICES Prescriber will
ensure safe use of the equipment has been demonstrated to the
client and the person in charge at the care home, providing as
necessary, care plans, moving and handling plans and risk
assessments.
Listed below are some
useful references and websites. This is not an exhaustive
list.
Guidance and
organisational publications do change. Please refer to the
originating organisation for the most up to date publication and
for other information.
·
Care Act (June, 2014)
·
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Guidance for providers on meeting the regulations (March 2015)
·
Care Quality Commission
(Registration) Regulations 2009 (Part 4) ( as amended)
·
Data Protection Act 1998
·
Department of Health
National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded
Nursing Care (November 2012 - Revised)
·
Equality Act 2010
·
Freedom of Information Act 2000 with changes 2014
·
Health & Care Professions
Council (HCPC)
·
Health & Safety Executive
(Health and social care
services section)
·
Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activity)
Regulations 2014
·
Health and Social Care Act 2008 ( Regulated Activity) (
Amendment) Regulations 2015
·
Health and
Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (
Part 3) ( as amended)
·
Local policy, practice and professional guidance or organisational
instructions as required by the ICES Prescribers’ and / or
care home staff’s employing organisation.
·
Medicines & Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Ref. MHRA Devices in
Practice, Managing Medical Devices (April 2014), Guidance for
healthcare and social services organisations and Checklists for
using medical devices (June, 2014)
·
National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence (NICE) NICE clinical guidance 179: Pressure
ulcers: prevent and management of pressure ulcers.
·
www.legislation.gov.uk
– refer to website for all acts with changes in progress.
