The Community Equipment and Adaptations Service aims to support people to maintain their independence in the community through the provision of a range of disability equipment and aids which help sustain and assist people at home.

Do you have problems with daily tasks?

• self-care, for example, washing, toileting, dressing, eating and drinking.
• getting in and out of bed, on and off a chair or the toilet, or in and out of a bath or shower
• mobility activities such as managing stairs
• domestic activities, like cooking, housework or shopping

There is equipment that can help many people manage these activities independently.

How to get help

To find out what exactly your needs are, we have to carry out an assessment.

You can do this online or this can take place at home and you can have a friend or family member there to support you. Our contact details are on the right-hand side of this page.

Buying items privately

If you wish to purchase equipment privately, there are a number of local and national retailers who sell disability equipment. It can be purchased on the Internet and at a number of supermarkets, DIY and general retailers and pharmacies. There are also specialist disability equipment companies, some of whom may offer home visits.

We would advise that for larger items you arrange to have the item demonstrated and trialled before you make a purchase.

The Health and Social Services Community Equipment Service cannot refund the cost of any items purchased privately.

Mobility scooters

Please note that if you are considering the purchase of a mobility scooter, you will also need to consider how you will store and charge it before you make a purchase. We only provides ramps for wheelchairs that have been prescribed by health professionals and we don’t provide storage and charging facilities for scooters.

What we are doing?

A North West Wales Partnership Board, which includes Conwy County Borough Council and Gwynedd Council, has been established to drive forward partnership arrangements in respect of this service. The aim of the collaboration is to:

• provide an integrated community equipment service that meets good practice identified within the guidance provided by the Welsh Government
• provide a single point of contact which avoids duplication and barriers to provision for users and practitioners
• meet national and local standards and performance indicators, in particular to provide a high percentage of essential equipment and minor adaptations within 7-day working
• support intermediate care, palliative care and hospital discharge initiatives and to build on existing joint arrangements
• develop more accessible services, with consistent eligibility criteria across North West Wales
• maintain recycling, cleaning and maintenance of equipment, and to meet national standards
• provide assessment, demonstration and display facility for service users and practitioners from health and social services
• provide information on a broad range of disabilities including new developments in Telecare and Assistive Technology

Within this partnership, we have entered into a formal agreement with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for the provision of community equipment. The main equipment store is based at Bryn y Neuadd in Llanfairfechan and the service is supported by a satellite store and a demonstration and assessment facility based at Canolfan Byron in Mona.

The partnership approach between 3 local authorities and the Health Board has provided an opportunity to promote joint working and understanding of different roles and responsibilities. However, the work on integration will continue as community equipment is seen as one essential service element in designing the safe delivery of a care package to promote independent living in the community and hospital discharge.