National Association of Equipment Providers

The BHTA Independent Living Products & Services Section Meeting

Tuesday 7th July 2015

Jean Hutfield Chair National Association of Equipment Providers (NAEP) and Community Equipment Dispensers Accreditation

Board (CEDAB)

The Past, Present and Future

Introduction and overview of NAEP

Our Membership Profile

NAEP Structure & Council

Our Regional Groups, Operations Groups and Special Interest Groups

The challenges ahead Review and Open Forum

Discussion Topics

• The Association of Equipment Providers was founded in 1996

• Formally established as the National Association Equipment Providers (NAEP) in 1999

• Founder member John Reed – Cornwall NHS Trust, who along with John Glover, established a network forum for statutory equipment providers in South West

• First Conference was held at the Heartlands in 1997 and in 1998 it was held at the National Motorbike Museum this led to the establishment of a National Conference the first of which was held at Wolverhampton Racecourse 1999

• Followed with the development of the NAEP Executive Committee A decision making forum and for the management of the governance and

operational aspects of the Association

Past, Present and Future

Aim:

Our aim is to improve the provision of a complete service to all users in all areas, as directed by competent professionals and to support and share good practice within the membership of the Association.

National Association of Equipment Providers

• Promote networking & communication between all providers working in the field of equipment provision,(Assistive Technology) commissioning, procurement or governance

• Provide a service to all groups working within community equipment services: including management, clinical, administration, operations and logistics

• Receive and interpret Government Papers and to participate in collaborative working with key organisations to maintain our voice in shaping policies that impact on equipment provision

Our objectives are to:

To inform members of all new legislation and white papers for both Health and Social Care/ The Care Act

Where appropriate, to discuss any draft Health & Social Care / Integration and current initiatives from Government papers and make recommendations on behalf of our members

To promote fellowship between all service providers through the formation of Regional & Special Interest groups whose activities network across the UK

To strengthen links between members, users, carers and other complimentary services throughout the UK

Objectives

• In 2008 the NAEP Council replaced the Executive Committee with:

• The establishment of Special Interest & Operational Groups

• Clinical Special Interest Group & Educational Special Interest Group

• Conference Operations Group & the Communications Operations Group

• To devolve empowerment to the NAEP Membership in the decision making process in the future development /direction of the Association

• Via a communication network from our Regional Groups, Special Interest and Operational Groups

Past, Present and Future

NAEP Regional Groups

NAEP Communication Pathway

NAEP Council

Present Day NAEP Council Structure

• In 2012 the Council restructured, with the inclusion of NAEP Regional Chairs to attend all NAEP Council meetings

• Provides a cohesive communication link to and from Regional Groups and respective members• Regional Chairs & group members have a direct link into the NAEP

Council• Facilitates a swift and democratic decision making process across the

NAEP membership

NAEP Structure

Where our Members are from: Community Equipment Services

o Integrated Community Equipment Serviceo In House CES (either integrated, or Health / Social Care as Lead Provider)o ‘Out Sourced’ – i.e. NRS, Mediquip, British Red Cross, Millbroook, Rosscare

• Wheelchair Services • Social Enterprise , Arms Length Trading Arms, with / without

Retail outlets – or all of these..• Retailers their Outlets and named staff members• The Acute Sector • The Voluntary Sector and National Charities• Commercial: Affiliate, Suppliers / Manufacturers

NAEP Membership Profile

The CED Accreditation Body

Established in 2007, the CED Accreditation Body is a joint partnership between the National Association Equipment Providers (NAEP) and the British Health Trades Association (BHTA)

The Community Equipment Dispenser Scheme (CED) is the only national quality assured Accreditation Body for the Retail sector throughout the United Kingdom, providing;

The CED Kite mark

A Registration Scheme for Retail premises and their staff With minimum standards / requirements for the Retailer Specifying minimum competencies and knowledge requirements for customer-facing staff to meet the accreditation criteria

Our proactive ongoing development of collaborative working partnerships:

1. The Care Quality Commission

2. College of Occupation Therapists: Looking to endorse NAEP policies

3. BHTA – LOLER and The CED Accreditation Scheme

4. The Journal of Community Nursing

5. The National Back Exchange & Posture Mobility Group UK

6. Association of Directors of Adult (and Children’s) Social Services

7. PSSRU (Personal Social Services Research Unit):a) Collaboration on evidence based data collection

8. Suppliers, Manufacturers and the Retail sectors Closer working to avoid duplication and deliver evidence based material to support the provision of

Assistive Technology products, irrespective of the initial cost outlay

NICE Partnership working

NAEP have progressed in establishing links with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

•NICE are working closely with NAEP in a number of areas i.e. • Consultation on their key projects e.g. Social & Healthcare Integration

•Links have been established to work with NICE to endorse NAEP Guidance Documents

• NICE would like to accredit the clinical documents produced by the Clinical & Prescriber Special Interest Group and they can also assist with templates / layout / structure on guidance documents currently in progress

• Accreditation process in place with liaison with Frances Kent and the Special Interest Group, with support from NAEP Service Development Officer

•Jean Hutfield will be main contact as the Stakeholder Representative for NAEP and ensure that all relevant information / opportunities for NAEP Members to share / participate in with NICE are disseminated to the NAEP membership

Challenging times will continue!•Transforming Community Equipment & Wheelchair Services has a presence in sectors across England

•CCG’s are in place and have an impact on equipment provision

•Integration, Personal Budgets, Better Care and the full implications of the Care Act are yet to be fully realised

•Retailer Accreditation including online sales

Past, Present and The Future?

Our 20 / 20 Vision

• Greater collaboration across all Assistive Technology Providers• National Associations / Voluntary / Commercial and Private Sectors

• Ensuring the delivery on key legislative markers (Care Act)

• Advocating and ensuring the preservation of choice for independence, be that choice be;• Of equipment / having a personal budget / appropriate care package etc

• Lobbying of Government Agencies to think and plan long term and not this term of office

• Investment in realistic cost effective solutions provided by telecare / telehealth and telemedicine

Open Forum Discussion