Community equipment services improving because of a partnership between Healthwatch Kirklees and Medequip

Your views and reviews leading to change

Working together to create a community equipment partnership with one of the UK’s largest providers of *community care equipment (Medequip), feedback gathered by Healthwatch Kirklees has identified where systems can be enhanced and improved. We have been able to give local people a chance to share their experiences directly with the providers of their community equipment service. 

*By community care equipment, we mean home adaptations and equipment that helps people with independent living like adjustable walking sticks, adult crutches, chair raisers, commodes, cushions, bath seats, bath lifts, bed levers, grab rails, mattresses, shower chairs, shower stools, perching stools, raised toilet stools, recliner chairs, toilet frames, trolleys, wheeled adjustable frames.

Rising to the Medequip challenge

• In the last 12 months (2022-23), Healthwatch staff have provided information and signposting to Medquip’s services for 22 people.
• Since our partnership began with the Medequip Equipment Amnesty in 2017, Healthwatch have collected over 40 website reviews from people in Kirklees who use equipment in their homes that helps keep them independent. Equipment like walking aids, rollators, walking sticks, walking frames and grab rails, seating aids, support cushions, perching stools, and chair raisers.
• Thanks to the Healthwatch feedback centre Medequip can regularly check in and respond to these reviews, hear what people say about their service and improve.

“Working with Healthwatch has helped us reach further into the community we serve. We are delighted with the response from people that use the Community Equipment Loan Service and thank people for helping us shape and develop the service.” Alex Roberts, Retail and Engagement Manager, Medequip.

Listen to Alex Roberts, Medequip’s Retail and Engagement manager telling us how listening and looking out for opportunities to improve their service in collaboration with Healthwatch continues to support the Medequip system locally and in other parts of Medequips national service delivery plans.

Healthwatch on tour

Healthwatch Engagement Officers go out on the Medequip delivery runs to visit people in the community. These interactions with service users and carers have proved invaluable; we get feedback and an opportunity to provide information and signposting, such as telling people about carer support options. This works so well that going out with a Medequip driver is now a monthly activity for Healthwatch Kirklees.

Share your Medequip review

Did you know you can return your equipment at the Medequip Amnesty Bins

Help your local NHS and Social Care Services help others by returning equipment.
Local NHS and Social Care Services lose thousands of pounds yearly due to missing equipment. If you have already benefited from equipment loaned to you that you no longer need, Medequip can arrange a free collection to recycle and help others in need. To find out more visit returning equipment or contact Medequip T: 01484 728970 E: kirklees@medequip-uk.com.

Equipment with a Medequip label can also be returned to the following Amnesty Bin drop-off points.

For a live Google Map of the amnesty bin drop-off points please click here.

During the launch of the amnesty in 2017, in just one month Healthwatch helped to collect over 180 pieces of unwanted equipment which was returned to the NHS Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals Trust and Medequip. It was cleaned and checked to be given out to hospitals and patients.

Follow the journey of our partnership working below: