Home adaptations and equipment

Community equipment loans are for people who need social care support at home.

Equipment is provided free of charge so you can stay living at home independently, reducing the need to go into hospital or a care home. It can also be provided when you return home after a stay in hospital.

Community equipment loan service

We work together with Essex County Council and NHS partners in the region to provide an Integrated Community Equipment Loan Service (ICELS).

In the Thurrock area, equipment is delivered, collected, serviced and repaired by a company called Medequip based in Braintree, Essex.

You can use the Medequip: online self-assessment to find out what equipment is available to help you with everyday tasks. The self-assessment asks some simple questions and gives advice about types of equipment for making daily living easier.

How to get equipment

If you find parts of your daily life are becoming difficult and you have a condition you need help with, you can either contact our Thurrock First social care team or speak to your GP.

A trained person will carry out an assessment to see if you are eligible for support. Equipment is loaned to people who have been assessed as needing it.

If you prefer to buy your own equipment, you can find a range of options at Medequip Retail Store.

If you've received a community equipment loan

All loaned equipment should have a Medequip label on it showing Medequip's customer service phone number. Contact Medequip, below, if you have:

• questions about equipment you've recently received
• equipment needs repair
• equipment that's no longer needed and ready to be returned

You can also return equipment yourself direct to Medequip's address below if you prefer.