Just over a decade ago George Deacon developed the concept that made possible the first integrated equipment store operating with a common pool of equipment and joint prescribing.

Integrated Community Equipment Stores can bring significant operational advantages to both Health and Social Services. They offer opportunities to develop and agree:
1: Joint prescribing criteria
2: Common equipment pools
3: Integrated working
4: Improved budget managment
5: Better data management and equipment tracking
6: Improved cleaning and equipment recycling
7: Service priorities

Their development can maximise the opportunity to use the provisions of Section 31 of the Health Act to secure joint working arrangments with Social Services. This can ensure that unnecessary duplication of assessment and service delivery is avoided, speed up equipment delivery and installation, ensure safe and prompt hospital discharge and maximise the service delivered to Service Users.

Over the past decade Dr George Deacon has worked with many authorities on the review of current services delivered from Community Loans Stores.

He assisted Oxfordshire Social Services and Oxfordshire Community Health NHS Trust in successfully developing and offering to contract the first commercially operated joint equipment stores.

This new fully integrated stores service will commence operation on 2 April 2005.

In common with all our contracts the service specification has been developed fully to address issues such as Single Assessment; Common Stock; Direct Purchase; Service Integration; Compliance with KPIs; Health and Safety; Recycling; data management; secure online ordering and managing best value from "Specials" through refurbishment and re-issue.

Greenwich Borough Council and Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust.

A comprehensive and fully Integrated Community Equipment Store. Operating under a Section 31 Partnership this will integrate all aspects of equipment provision and minor adaptations.

Integrated Community Equipment Stores for:
Bedfordshire County Council
Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust, Bedford Primary Care Trust, Luton Borough Council and Luton Primary Trust.

Operating under Section 31 Agreements for a pooled budget this will provide equipment across Bedfordshire and Luton to jointly agreed service standards and to meet needs assessed against common eligibility criteria.

Royal Borough of Kingston and Kingston Primary Care Trust.

A contracted out Integrated Community Equipment to meet the equipment needs of Residents of the Royal Borough.

Harrow and Hillingdon NHS Trusts.

A contract for the effective delivery and maintenance of pressure care equipment and related services.