The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) owns over 30,000 items of equipment. SWEP is responsible for the maintenance and repair of this equipment, which is loaned to clients to help them live independently.
The Chemtronics group is a national company established 33 years
ago, which also carries out work for a large number of healthcare
facilities, such as the Australian Defence Force and Ambulance Services.
Chemtronics is owned by Cabrini Health and currently manages,
monitors and maintains over 250,000 assets across Australia and New
Zealand, including equipment that is provided by SWEP. Chemtronics has
an outstanding record of service.
When the equipment breaks down, a repair is undertaken to fix the
equipment. This service is operational 24 hours per day, every day,
including public holidays if it has been agreed by SWEP that the
equipment needs to be fixed straight away.
A Preventative Maintenance Program is being introduced to
regularly service some of our equipment to prevent or reduce breakdowns. This
service will operate during normal business hours.
Phone: 1300 PH SWEP (1300 747 937), press '1', and one of the SWEP staff will organise to get the equipment repaired for you. SWEP and Chemtronics provide an emergency After-hours service 24
hours per day, every day of the year including public holidays.
When you call 1300 PH SWEP (1300 747 937) outside of business
hours, you will be directed to the After-hours Emergency Service which
is manned by SWEP staff.
No. The repair of tubing or tyres is the responsibility of the SWEP client. Your supplier may know of a repair service if you are having difficulty finding one. You can also contact SWEP who will arrange for Chemtronics to repair the item - this repair will be at a cost to the client.
As soon as it occurs - the functionality and safety of your equipment is important to SWEP.
If you are unable to transfer independently, or make arrangements
for family or a carer to assist you, let SWEP know when you report the
breakdown.
Contact SWEP. We will make contact with the original supplier to fix the problem under warranty.
You will be able to discuss how urgently the repair needs to be
done; the response time to repair the equipment will depend on your
living arrangements including carer support and how dependent you are on
the equipment.
Repairs are prioritised to ensure that absolutely urgent repairs can be done in the quickest time possible.
When it is not possible for you to get home safely, SWEP will
arrange for Chemtronics to come to wherever you are within Victoria.
Chemtronics is not able to make travel arrangements for you, so you may need to call either family or a taxi to get you home.
If you are in another State and SWEP equipment breaks down, SWEP
will organise for an interstate repairer to fix the equipment for you.
Sometimes Chemtronics will need access to either special
equipment, repairers or replacement parts and will not be able to fix
the equipment at your home.
When this happens, Chemtronics will get the equipment repaired and returned to you as quickly as possible.
SWEP will talk to you about how much you depend on the equipment
and whether we have the same equipment available in our reissue
inventory for short term loan.
SWEP is unable to lend you equipment if it is not the same as what you are using without the advice of your prescriber.
If it is more cost effective long term to purchase new equipment, Chemtronics will contact you by phone to discuss your options. If Chemtronics has a replacement item that your prescriber agrees is suitable and safe for you to use, SWEP will reissue the item to you. If a reissue item is not suitable you can then submit a new application to SWEP for new equipment. Your prescriber will need to reassess you and once all the necessary paperwork has been received by SWEP there should be no wait for funding for the replacement equipment.
If you wish to keep the item you can ask to have ownership of the item transferred to you from SWEP. This will mean that you will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the item, as well as any costs incurred.
If your equipment is not able to be repaired, Chemtronics will contact
you by phone to discuss your options. If Chemtronics has a replacement
item that your prescriber agrees is suitable and safe for you to use,
SWEP will reissue the item to you. If a reissue item is not suitable you can then submit a new
application to SWEP for new equipment. Your prescriber will need to
reassess you and once all the necessary paperwork has been received by
SWEP there should be no wait for funding for the replacement equipment.
SWEP retains ownership of equipment where SWEP have paid more than 50% of the cost of equipment.
You should advise SWEP as soon as possible so that ownership of
the equipment is transferred to you. You can use your preferred
repairer, and you will be responsible for paying for the repairs
yourself.
SWEP does not pay for repairs to equipment not owned by SWEP, and is not responsible for maintaining this equipment.
Contact SWEP and we will organise for the equipment to be collected.
There is no change to the current process. Your prescriber will send SWEP their recommendation and a quote from their preferred supplier.
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