“Accidentally—and initially on a temporary basis! I was working as an independent therapist running my own business and began supporting a Medequip contract as an advisor for just two to three days a week in October 2022. Almost four years later, here we are, and I genuinely wouldn’t change a thing.”
What makes the role so rewarding for you?
“The opportunity to bring about meaningful change and to develop personally and professionally is huge. There is so much I feel able to contribute. As Clinical Advisors, Medequip OTs act as an effective bridge between equipment prescribers and equipment suppliers. We understand the entire process—from providers through to the people using our services—and we bring strong clinical knowledge and expertise to enhance service delivery.
We’re involved across the whole business, and everything we do has a clinical element. Our focus is on supporting robust decision-making, enhancing quality and identifying the safest solutions for people. Funding pressures are real, but it’s never just about price—it’s about meeting needs accurately and appropriately. Will prescribers feel confident in using the equipment with their service users? Can the equipment be adapted as needs change? We provide the clinical insight to support those decisions at every stage.”
What other aspects are important?
“Training is a vital part of what we do. We design and deliver a wide range of training programmes for prescribers, covering everything from standard stock to complex equipment such as slings, hoists and specialist seating, ensuring prescribers have the knowledge and confidence to prescribe accurately and appropriately.
We’re also a key source of support for Medequip drivers and technicians, acting as a sounding board and helping to ensure they are confident and competent with the equipment they deliver. In addition, OTs play a critical safeguarding role within depots. Our drivers and technicians are the face of Medequip and interact daily with service users. They see people’s home environments first-hand and are often the first to identify potential concerns.
People are often on their best behaviour during assessments with OTs or social workers, but things can look very different at the point of delivery. If health, safety or safeguarding concerns arise—including potential abuse—our drivers and technicians know they can escalate these through us, ensuring concerns are managed appropriately and individual wellbeing is protected.
From a safety point of view, it might be as simple as flagging to the Fire Brigade where in a property a person sleeps, which can be critical in the event of a fire. It’s all about providing a joined-up service, with a number of different agencies working in cooperation to put together the pieces.”
How about the bigger picture?
“Across Medequip’s national clinical team, working within depots throughout the country, we are successfully bringing together best practice at scale. This gives us the opportunity to take what works well in one area and replicate it elsewhere.
Our sling care guide is an example of this. Developed in collaboration by the clinical and operational teams, the guide goes out with every sling issued, and is designed to extend sling life, with washing instructions, wear and tear checklists and care guidance. Including a sling ribbon with every sling also engages everyone involved in the process, with products regularly checked to reduce the need for urgent replacement.
We also contribute to continuous improvement of product information. While the TCES catalogue is generally excellent, there are always opportunities to enhance clarity and usability. With a deep understanding of prescriber needs, we work closely with procurement and purchasing colleagues to improve content quality, reduce mis-prescribing, minimise failed deliveries and drive service improvements.
We also play a role in helping to implement emerging safety requirements too, as evidenced by the recent legislation and guidance on the use of bed levers, which impacted upon prescription and risk assessments. Working closely with prescribers and commissioners, we were able to act quickly not just to ensure clinicians were confident with the use of the equipment but also to play a role in completing assessments in line with legislation.
Our team brings together a wide range of professional backgrounds creating a comprehensive portfolio of experience: including adult and paediatric practice, learning disability services, wheelchair services, and roles in social care, community rehab settings, schools, prisons and also from independent practice. This depth and diversity of experience makes us a strong, well-rounded team.”
Why should other OTs consider Medequip as a career move?
“If you love learning and development this is the role for you. No two days are ever the same - from responding to prescriber enquiries, to changing footplates on a shower chair, to discussions with commissioners about pathways, processes and live systems. New challenges are always arising, giving you the opportunity to use all your skills. It’s a hands-on job at every level!
The work is all about problem solving, managing change and assessing risk - using your clinical and medical knowledge and core skills achieve a more holistic approach to improve people’s lives. It is never just about giving out a piece of equipment but looking at how it will work for each individual and how it can contribute to improved independence and quality of life.
Our clinicians also attend Specials Panels within contracts and play a valuable role in strengthening the problem-solving skills of other prescribers and practitioners, sharing our knowledge, insight and resources.
Opportunities for career progression are there too. Medequip has a strong leadership and development framework in place, with a clear focus on supporting individual growth, identifying future talent and creating meaningful opportunities across the business. We actively invest in our people, enabling OTs to build their skills, broaden their experience and progress into senior, specialist or leadership roles as their careers develop.
This is a vibrant, dynamic and rewarding role for an OT, with involvement in so many areas. We all understand how critical it is to get Community Equipment Services right and how our work can impact on everything from hospital discharges to end-of-life care. We may be a non-emergency service, but the impact of that service not being available is massive.”
Medequip’s Clinical team now numbers over fifty people, and almost every new tender is seeking to include a clinical role, with commissioners identifying the importance and value of this contribution for the continuous improvement of services.
Medequip is also developing a new service to provide supportive assessments for private pay clients, further strengthening the Manage At Home product offer and expanding the reach of clinical expertise beyond traditional commissioned services.