A new Community Equipment Professionals Forum will debut on 28 April at Naidex National 2015. Running alongside
the annual exhibition, the summit provides a platform for community equipment professionals to explore the challenges
and issues of delivering community equipment services within the context of the new care act.
The programme takes place on day one (28 April) in the meeting room adjacent to the show floor, between 11am and 2.30pm
at Naidex National, the UK’s largest event for independent living which runs from 28 to 30 April at the NEC, Birmingham.
For more details visit www.naidex.co.uk/content/community-equipment-professionals-forum
Matthew Tingey, event director for Naidex, said:
The community equipment sector is estimated at well over £300 million and given that Naidex is the only show that
brings Public, Private and 3rd sectors organisations in assistive technology together we are delighted to add the
community equipment debate to the content agenda this year.
Tingey added:
The new care act is contributing toward more local authorities considering the move to tendering out community
equipment services and this debate will be a part of debating the future for those providing services to local
authorities and manufacturers supplying products alike.
Delegates from across the community equipment sector will be invited to attend the forum chaired by David Griffiths.
The chief executive of Medequip will be joined by a panel of five industry experts to debate the current implementation
of community equipment services.
Panelists confirmed to date include Helen Trousdale, commissioner for older people and market development at Staffordshire
County Council and Debra Attwood - CES Commissioning Manager, Bedfordshire
& Luton/Regional Chair NAEP.
The forum will discuss how to move the subject of community equipment services higher up the health and wellbeing board agenda.
Topics discussed by the expert panel include why do many local authorities continue to operate their services, such as
telecare and community equipment, separately?
Active participation from visitors is encouraged and delegates can take part in a Q&A session on issues raised in the debate.
Specifically tailored for the sector’s challenges and concerns, the forum will provide an invaluable opportunity for community
equipment professionals working in the sector to get up to speed with the latest developments.
The summit is a Naidex show highlight and will be run in association with key partners NRS and Medequip and Millbrook
all key providers of community equipment services.
Visitors can also expect to find Naidex National’s popular conference programme at the event. The CPD-accredited Multidisciplinary
Theatre will also showcase tailored content, on community equipment services, including the session ‘Home adaptations, Care Act and
the Better Care Fund – time for revolution in delivery?’ delivered by Sue Adams OBE, chief executive, Care & Repair England.
The dedicated conference programme runs over a number of theatres, including two theatres in the COT Zone delivered by the College
of Occupational Therapists.
Naidex National, incorporating the Community Equipment Professionals Forum, runs from 28 to 30 April 2015 at the NEC, Birmingham.
The summit will be held on 28 April from 11am to 2.30pm. The forum is open only to people who have pre-registered specifically for
it for further information please visit www.naidex.co.uk/Content/Community-Equipment-Professionals-Forum . Entry to Naidex is free -
for more information about Naidex National and to register your interest for a ticket, please visit www.naidex.co.uk