Occupational therapy services

The service which provides equipment and adaptations is called ‘occupational therapy’ and the professional workers who can assess people for this service are ‘occupational therapists (OTs)’.

• People who are frail through old age
• People with disabilities
• People being discharged from hospital who now can’t manage as well as they could before
• People who are carers of any of the above

Community equipment loan services are essential for people who need social care support at home. They help them live with more independence and dignity.

Luton Council works in partnership with:

• Bedford Council
• Central Bedfordshire Council
• Milton Keynes Council
• NHS Bedfordshire

Luton and Milton Keynes work together to provide the Community Equipment Loan Service.

Medequip is our service provider for the delivery, collection, repair and servicing of community equipment.

Equipment provided

Working closely with occupational therapists and other health and social care professionals, the service loans equipment free of charge to enable people to stay living at home independently and reduce the need for hospital or care home admissions. Issuing equipment is often key to facilitating quicker hospital discharges.

All equipment loaned will be provided on an individual basis to people who have been assessed as needing it.

Getting equipment

If you're finding some areas of daily living becoming difficult and believe you have a condition you need help with, complete the Occupational Therapy Contact Form or speak to your GP for a referral. A trained person will carry out an assessment to see if you are eligible for support.

Contacting Medequip

If you have any questions regarding equipment that has recently been delivered or requires repair, call 0333 091 7763 or email [email protected].

Returning community equipment

All equipment loaned by the Community Equipment Loan Service should have a Medequip label on it, showing the Medequip customer service telephone number. Medequip will also accept equipment with a Millbrook Healthcare label.

If your equipment is no longer required and ready to be returned please use the contact details below.

T: 0333 091 7763
E: [email protected].

You can also return equipment yourself directly to Medequip:

Bedford Service Centre Depot:
Medequip
Hammond Road
Elm Farm Industrial Estate
Bedford
MK41 0UD.

Opening Hours: 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday – Friday.

Further independent living support options

Self-care empowers you to live independently, giving you the confidence to remain in your own home and complete everyday tasks safely.

For self-funded mobility and disability equipment options, please visit Manage@home- your online Medequip retail store.

There are lots of different products available to make your daily activities easier.

Some examples include:

• grab rails
• raised toilet seats
• walking frames
• perching stools
• pick up and reaching aids

There is a free, interactive self-assessment tool to get an idea of equipment to help your situation, which you can use by visiting the equipment self-assessment tool.

Or if you would rather browse equipment, follow this link to visit Living Made Easy. Both links are from the Disabled Living Foundation.

Some typical examples of major adaptations include:

• widening doorways
• installing ramps
• installing a stairlift
• creating disabled access to showers
• lowering of work surfaces in kitchens

Equipment will always be considered before adaptations to the home, and minor adaptations before major ones.

To receive equipment and adaptations from us you must:

• be eligible for council-funded care
• have an assessment of care needs

During the assessment we will look at your individual situation to identify the care services which are right for you. If you need equipment or adaptations an occupational therapist will work with you to look at the products which will best help you.

For adults: You can request an assessment by contacting our Customer Service Centre on the numbers at the bottom of this page.

For children (under 18): Follow this link for how to contact the Children’s Assessment Team.

If you feel you would rather seek the views of an independent occupational therapist (one who doesn’t work for the council) then an OT from adult social care will need to verify the reports on you before we can offer council-funded equipment or adaptations.

To find an independent occupational therapist: follow this link to visit the College of Occupational Therapists.

If you are eligible for care and assessed as needing equipment or minor home adaptations there is no charge.

If you are assessed as needing major home adaptations the cost to you will depend on several factors, which may include the following:

• who owns the house you live in
• the scale of work involved
• how much money you have

If you own your own home, or you rent from a private landlord you will need to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant. This is a ‘means-tested’ grant, which broadly means that the less money you have, the more grant you could receive to pay towards the works. The maximum grant amount is £30,000.

Homeowners over 60, or whose household includes a person with a disability may also qualify for equity release should any additional funding be needed for work.

If you are a council tenant you will not have to pay for any work done. If the works are substantial, we may offer you more suitable accommodation instead.

If you rent from a Registered Social Landlord (such as a Housing Association) you will need to apply for a means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant.

Follow this link to read more about housing grants and funds.