West Berkshire Council has a new supplier of community medical equipment after its previous contractor went bust.
NRS went into liquidation last summer, but it emerged the firm had locked up mobility aids, hoists for patient transferring and lifting, and hospital beds for care at home in a storage unit in Theale.
The council said the equipment was beyond economic repair and would be sent for recycling.
It has reviewed what happened but says the financial implications are yet to be worked out. "The financial impact of the issue has not yet been settled," it said. "There is ongoing discussion with the Official Receiver in relation to any outstanding payments. "Further, the changes to the contractual arrangements will take time to embed. "The net effect is expected to be an increased cost to commissioning partners in order to ensure ongoing financial sustainability of the new providers. "We will ensure that financial impacts are appropriately balanced across the commissioning partnership."
NRS advised in June 2025 that it had a structural funding gap of around £20m. It had been the provider of community equipment in Berkshire under a contract covering all six local authorities and two Integrated Care Boards, with West Berkshire Council as lead commissioner.
The council says its provider of social care and community equipment will change from NRS to Millbrook Healthcare. "We're working closely with Millbrook and our NHS partners to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible with minimal disruption for those who rely on these vital services. "Contingency arrangements are in place, and alarm services where people rely on devices to alert services in the event of an emergency like a fall, will continue as normal."
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
