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Accessibility Statement
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Birmingham Connect to Support

Equipment

Do you have a disability or find everyday tasks difficult?

If you have a disability and/or experience difficulty completing daily tasks, you should first consider the self-care options, such as the wide range of daily living aids available to purchase. This can range from food preparation and mobility to dressing and bathing aids.

If your needs are complex and you require long term support, you may be eligible for an Occupational Assessment, where Occupational Therapists can work with you to find ways of managing tasks, offer advice and potential solutions.

Equipment would be prescribed and loaned to you through the BCELS (Birmingham Community Equipment Loans Service).  Vital equipment is provided to support hospital discharges, avoid admission, and support the needs of Birmingham citizens, with the long-term aim of keeping people independent and safe in their home environment.  This service is provided by Medequip. The BCELS uses your personal data to provide a service to you following an assessment of your needs on behalf of the organisations that commission the service which are: Birmingham City Council, Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group and Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group. These commissioning organisations are also joint controllers of this personal data.  If you have any queries about how your personal data is used by the BCELS please email: bces@birmingham.gov.uk.

What are the benefits of self-care?

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

With a wide range of equipment choice, through local mobility retailers or online, finding equipment that is right for you has never been easier.

You can go through product recommendations using the Equipment House. Click on a room that you think you may need some help in to see the equipment and adaptations that may be able to help you. Alternatively, you could use the Medequip Self Help Guide. Follow the instructions and complete a questionnaire and get your tailored report with impartial advice and product recommendations to help you live independently.

Medequip’s Birmingham depot has a retail facility on site or you could also consider Medequip’s online retail store for a choice of 4000+ products from 100+ leading manufacturers of daily living aids, delivered directly to your home within 3-5 working days.

VAT relief is also available on many products, giving you financial help if you are disabled or have a chronic illness. To find out more visit VAT Relief.

To access equipment from the BCELS, you will need to have an Occupational Therapy assessment. You can ask your GP for a referral or if you are to be discharged from hospital, an assessment can be arranged. You can self-refer through the Occupational Therapy Service online form or contact the Occupational Therapy Team to make a referral on 0121 303 1234 option 1 or by email CSAdultSocialCare@birmingham.gov.uk. There are also a range of drop in sessions across the city where you can speak with Occupational Therapists directly about your situation.  

Occupational Therapists will work with you to:

  • Assess your difficulties carrying out everyday living tasks
  • Advise you on different ways to manage tasks
  • Loan essential equipment to help complete daily tasks.

Depending on your situation, an Occupational Therapy Assessment may include how you:

  • Get in and out of bed or chair
  • Get on and off the toilet
  • Dress yourself
  • Feed yourself
  • Manage the stairs
  • Prepare drinks, snack and/or meals

The assessment may also cover:

  • Your eligibility for adaptations to your home, and
  •  Provide advice and information about other services

If you have already benefited from equipment loaned to you from Medequip 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 on 0121 503 8850 or email birmingham@medequip-uk.com.

Medequip: https://www.medequip-uk.com/

Medequip Self Help Guide (AskSARA): https://medequip.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/ 

Birmingham depot: https://www.medequip-uk.com/contact/birmingham

Self-care retail: https://www.medequip-uk.com/online-sales And https://www.manageathome.co.uk/

VAT Relief: https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vat-relief

Occupational Therapy Service online form: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20071/support_to_help_you_live_independently/1182/occupational_therapy_service_for_adults

Returning equipment: https://www.medequip-uk.com/returning-equipment

Last updated: 11/9/2020
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