Richard is concerned….that reablement policy will put more pressure on community equipment services

The Adult Social Care: Law Commission report consultation has now ended and regulations prescribing the eligibility framework for the provision of community care services are to be implemented. Reablement services are provided by Local Authorities with input from Health colleagues.

The Department of Health have defined reablement as a range of ‘services for people with poor physical or mental health to help them accommodate their illness by learning or relearning the skills necessary for daily living' (Department of Health, 2007).

Currently Local Authorities are funding reablement, including for hospital discharges however from 2012/13 Acute Trusts will be responsible for arranging and funding reablement for people who are ready for discharge from hospital. In many areas, Acute Trust activity is rapidly increasing and creating huge cost pressures for Community equipment Services, what effect might this have on the assessment and provision of community equipment?