Haringey Council has moved to ensure the continuity of community equipment services for its residents following the liquidation of Nottinghamshire Rehab Ltd (NRS Healthcare). The Cabinet Member Signing approved a new contract for the Integrated Community Equipment Service, managed via the North London Equipment Partnership (NLEP), at a meeting on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.
The decision comes after NRS Healthcare entered compulsory liquidation on 1 August 2025, prompting urgent action to mitigate risks to residents who rely on essential equipment. The equipment provided ranges from low-cost items, such as raised toilet seats and grab rails, to more costly items, such as specialist beds, hoists, pressure care equipment and mattresses. Delays in providing or repairing equipment can lead to serious harm or even death, and can also impede patient flow out of hospitals, according to a council report.
The Cabinet Member approved the award of a contract to a new provider for a maximum of £4.5 million for the first year, in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01. The contract will run for one year, with the option to extend for two additional years (1+1). Haringey's share of mobilisation costs is estimated at £62,500. The name of the new provider is not publicly available, as it is included in an exempt report.
Alternative options, such as developing an in-house service or conducting a competitive procurement process, were considered but rejected due to time and resource constraints. The report stated that a competitive procurement would take at least 18 months.
The new contract will be managed through the North London Equipment Partnership (NLEP), a consortium arrangement with seven other London boroughs. While each borough will contract with the provider independently, the partnership will support joint management of the provider relationship and shared commissioning approaches. This risk is being mitigated through close partnership working between the provider and the new Consortium, alongside facilitated discussions with the NRS Special Managers and Official Receiver around equipment and data transfer. The Public reports pack details the decision.
The Cabinet Member also approved the termination of the contract with NRS Healthcare and the withdrawal from the London Consortium Community Equipment arrangement. Following the collapse of NRS Healthcare, all authorities have identified alternative arrangements for their community equipment provision. The existing London Consortium was established for the provision of community equipment contracts, but all authorities have identified alternative arrangements following the collapse of NRS Healthcare.
The Community Equipment Service is required to meet the council's and the NHS's statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and the NHS Act 2006. The provision of community equipment aims to reduce hospital admissions and length of stay, reduce long-term care costs, promote independence and improve quality of life.
The report noted that since NRS Healthcare went into liquidation, the 21 London boroughs have been working to mitigate the risks, with support from the Local Government Association, NHS England and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).
The Cabinet Member also approved the exclusion of the press and public from part of the meeting because item 7 contained exempt information as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).