Equipment and Funding in Care Homes
In the community, the majority of standard equipment is provided by Hertfordshire Equipment Service (HES), making the process relatively straightforward. However, in care home settings, provision can vary—particularly when it comes to seating.
Generally, it is expected that care homes will meet individuals’ needs in relation to Moving and Assisting equipment and other standard equipment including seating.
When a resident requires specialist seating, there is currently no clear guidance on who is responsible for funding. In most cases, local authorities do not routinely provide specialist seating for care home residents.
As a result, we advise providers who have experienced challenges with equipment funding to:
- Consider whether the home is able to purchase the required equipment.
- Explore the potential for sharing equipment between residents with similar needs, where appropriate and safe to do so.
- Clarify with management or the wider provider organisation what their stance is on equipment provision, and ensure this is communicated clearly to the individual and their family.
If possible, providers should also consider discussing the situation directly with the person or their family to explore whether they are willing or able to contribute to the cost of the equipment. While not an ideal solution, this may offer a practical way to meet the person’s needs in the absence of other funding routes.
If you have experiences or questions as a provider that may help inform our understanding or support the development of clearer solutions, please get in touch via the following email: pe.service@hcpa.co.uk