Shaping the Future

But getting to spend much more time with Mrs Griffiths, my family and friends, not being on-call 24/7, and still retaining a regular connection to the people and organisation I hold dearly, come on, that’s the dream right?

I have no idea if I’ll keep sharing thoughts and ideas in these pieces. There are so many other commentators and observers out there, but I have found these a useful way to gather my own thoughts and I have really appreciated it when someone has commented or mentioned that they have read it.

In his recent article for ADASS How community equipment services can support people to live more independently – and should be valued as core infrastructure - ADASS, Mark Rance highlights the importance of seeing a high performance community equipment service as a “system enabler” and not just a cost to be squeezed. So maybe there is still some awareness to be raised and maybe Medequip and I can be part of that work.

In the meantime, I am really looking forward to the National Association of Equipment Providers (NAEP) 2026 conference at the end of June.

The title this year is “Shaping the future”, and Jean, her NAEP colleagues and the Organising Committee have put together a fabulous looking programme, mostly looking forward, hence “Shaping the future”.

But they have also created an opportunity to look back and see where, as a closely knit system of manufacturers, Community Equipment Service providers, prescribers and commissioners, we can look for the lessons learned from the events leading to the compulsory liquidation of NRS and the disruption to equipment services in 2025.

NAEP 2026 is also a chance for me to catch up with the many, many people I have worked closely with over my time with Medequip. The Council staff and those in NHS roles, manufacturers, “rival” Equipment Service providers, British Healthcare Trades Association and the Technology Enabled Care Service Association.

I’m sure there will be some looking back and reminiscing…………but not for too long.

Most of us want to feel we are involved in doing something worthwhile. When I started with Medequip all those years ago I remember talking to the more senior individuals at the time and asking them what were we all about? I wanted to grow the business, but what should we hold dear to our heart? The message was clear. We wanted to grow, because if you stop pedalling the bike it stops and perhaps falls over, but our role was as clear as day – we needed to be there to support others to help keep people independent for as long as possible.

Well, today, I think Medequip’s values are stronger than ever and that it has everything in place to continually evolve and improve.

This is so important, because that goal of keeping people independent for longer is becoming more and more complex.

For a lot of people, especially people who have reason to draw on care and support, the future is not some far off place, it’s tomorrow and the next day.

If we want to do something worthwhile to shape the future, we must get started today.

I’m sure the organisers, speakers, exhibitors and attendees of NAEP 2026 know this and don’t need me to tell them, but as a long-term fan of this sector, and just like many a Newcastle fan, I have always felt the need to express my opinion.