start of content

Equipment and Adaptations for Older and Disabled People

Integrated Community Equipment Service

The Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) is a partnership between Newham Council and the Primary Care Trust (PCT).

It ensures that equipment provided within the community is provided from a joint service.

What is ICES?

ICES aims to play a vital role in helping disabled people of all ages, including children, to develop their full potential and to maintain their health and independence.

Previously, Health and Social Services worked separately and this lack of co-ordination was sometimes against the interests of equipment users.

Due to the Government making a significant investment in modernising and expanding these services, Health and Social Services are pooling their budgets and working together so more people can benefit from equipment that meets their needs.

This means that there have been some big changes in the way that community equipment services are provided. Services are:

  • Integrated - to make it easier for people to get the equipment and help they need
  • Modernised - to take full advantage of the latest developments in technology
  • Expanded - so that more people, including children, can benefit from them

To develop the service, Health and Social Care Services in Newham are working together in new and different ways and involving service users and carers more closely than ever before. Users and their representatives can now help plan and monitor service developments and see real benefits.

What is Community Equipment?

Community Equipment covers a wide range of equipment for home nursing usually provided by the NHS, such as pressure relief mattresses and commodes, to equipment for daily living such as shower chairs and raised toilet seats, usually provided by Social Services. It also includes (but is not limited to):


  • Minor adaptations, such as grab rails, stair rails and foot steps
  • Equipment for people with sensory impairments, such as flashing doorbells, aids to help you see better and hearing aids
  • Communication aids for people with speech impairments
  • Assistive technology such as telecare equipment which includes fall alarms, gas escape alarms and devices that sound an alarm when a vulnerable person wanders out of the home


Who is eligible for equipment?

You will be provided equipment subject to need, based on a professional assessment. You can qualify for an assessment if:

  • You are a resident of the London Borough of Newham
  • You are permanently or substantially disabled
  • Your disability significantly affects your ability to carry out essential tasks of daily living at home, or means your carer is not able to provide the help you need

We do not take referrals directly from the public. If you would like to access our service please get in touch with your occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, district nurse or social worker and they will refer you on to us.

However, if you would like more information about our service please contact us on 020 8430 2222.


If you have a question, comment or enquiry about a council service, please use our Enquiry Form.

We're always working to improve our website and welcome any suggestions that you may have. Type your comments in the box below, but please remember, we do not reply to these comments.

Did you find this page helpful?

If you want to leave more detailed comments about the website, why not complete our feedback questionnaire?