Islington Council has awarded an urgent contract to Provide Care Solutions Limited following the insolvency of NRS Healthcare, the previous provider of community equipment services. The council acted swiftly to ensure continuous support for residents dependent on essential equipment.

The decision, made on 18 September 2025 by the Corporate Director Health and Social Care under urgency procedures, ensures continuity of service for Islington residents who rely on vital equipment to support independence and early discharge from hospital. The decision was formally noted at the Council meeting on 4 December 2025.

The community equipment service provides a range of items, from raised toilet seats to specialist beds, to adults and children living at home. The service is funded through a pooled budget arrangement between Islington Council, Whittington Health, and the North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB). Partner contributions to the pooled budget are as follows:

  • Islington Council 40%
  • North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) 30%
  • Whittington Hospital 30%

The council had to act quickly after NRS Healthcare, which served 21 London boroughs through the London Community Equipment Consortium, entered insolvency on 1 August 2025. The contract with NRS Healthcare ended on 15 September 2025. To bridge the gap between the end of the NRS Healthcare contract and the start of the Provide Care Solutions Limited contract, the council commissioned a 'patchwork' of very short-term contracts with smaller providers to meet critical needs. These interim contracts offer a reduced selection of equipment items, with some gaps in service remaining.

According to the quarterly monitoring report December 2025 v2, the Corporate Director approved awarding a contract to Provide Care Solutions Limited for up to 36 months, including an optional extension. The service will continue to be funded via a pooled budget.

The Equalities Impact Assessment - NLEP community equipment se notes that the decision has both positive and negative impacts. It will ensure continuity of an equipment offer, but there are possible anxieties and confusion. There is a possibility that equipment supplies will be disrupted, with less options available, delays in delivery and different pieces of equipment may be available to those that have been used previously. This risk is being mitigated through close partnership working between the provider and NLEP, alongside facilitated discussions with the NRS Official Receiver around equipment and data transfer. The 'patchwork' of interim arrangements will also help mitigate this risk through a phased handover of activity.

Should Provide Care Solutions Limited encounter financial difficulties or fail to meet the required service standards, the council has contingency plans in place to award the contract to a similar and suitable provider, for the same overall cost and duration, following due diligence and consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Social Care.

To mitigate these risks, the council's communications team is providing residents with reassuring and informative information. The transition to the new provider will be phased alongside interim arrangements currently in place.

At the Council meeting, Councillor Craig moved the recommendation to note the urgent key decision, which was carried.

Other business at the Council meeting included:

  • Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27
  • Gambling Act 2005: Statement of Principles 2026-2028
  • Review and Update of the Constitution
  • Resolution to extend 6-month rule - Section 85 Local Government Act 1972
  • Annual Report of the Employment and Appointments Committee
  • Appointments Report
  • Notices of Motion