Dear AT Practitioners
We are writing to you to let you know that our current Supplier contracts for non-customised assistive technology, are due to expire on 31 December 2022.
This year we undertook a formal procurement process, including a desktop and hands-on evaluation of over 500 pieces of assistive technology including manual wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters, three function beds, mattresses, pressure cushions, bathroom aids, hoists, specialised seating, rise recline chairs etc. This involved engagement of three experts from our Clinical Advisory Panel to undertake the actual evaluation of products put forward by Suppliers.
The extremely robust evaluation
process has ensured that equipment selected has been certified under the
relevant Standards, meets the specifications required by our consumer group and
has been secured at the best possible price.
This ensures that our contracted equipment range
remains relevant to current technologies, includes the latest models and
features, provides value for money and ensures that our equipment range can
meet the needs of the vast majority of people accessing our service for
equipment.
As part of this latest procurement strategy,
we want to emphasise the importance of a three phased approach when you are
recommending items for your consumer as follows:
A. Always
consider refurbished options
A good range of equipment is readily available through our refurbished
equipment pool. This equipment meets relevant Standards, the history of the
equipment is known and it has been competently refurbished by highly qualified
technicians.
B. Select
a contract item from our picklists
As described above, there is a great range of assistive technology
available through our non-customised Supplier contracts, with multiple options
to select from across each equipment category. As per current process, no quote
is required.
C. Obtain
quote for 'off-contract' item
Where you can't find a solution from A and B that meets the needs of the
consumer, you can source an alternative quoted item, to match exact need. In
the future, planned changes to our database may require you to provide
additional clinical rationale when you are requesting an 'off-contract' item.
In January 2023 we will be launching a new
online catalogue, which will replace the current PDF picklist catalogue. We will advise as soon as this new catalogue
tool is available. In the interim a PDF
picklist catalogue for the new contract items will be available from 1
January, 2023 via our website and replace the existing picklist.
We are also launching an online video from
our Clinical Advisor Panel Members who undertook the product evaluation, to
provide insight into the Evaluation process.
As new products will be launched from 1 January, 2023 the SWEP Portal will be closed 29 December, 2022 to1 January, 2023 at 9:00am in order to upload the new picklist items, and remove current picklist items.
Please note if you have submitted an
Application prior to 1 January, 2023 using the current contract items, we are
negotiating with those Suppliers to retain contract pricing for those
applications only.
Kind Regards
SWEP
Leadership Team
