Equipment and Consumables Service
Who we are
The Equipment and Consumables Service (ECS) provides loan equipment and clinical consumables to patients for use at home after they are discharged from PCH.
A member of your child's medical team will prescribe any required equipment or consumables and these will be provided by the ECS.
Services we provide
Equipment
We provide a wide range of paediatric special needs and medical equipment including:
- wheelchairs
- crutches
- specialised chairs
- walkers
- showering and toileting aids
- feeding pumps
- suction equipment.
Equipment is generally loaned for a period of three months. Your child's medical team will determine how long they are expected to need the equipment to ensure you receive a loan for the required length of time.
When your loan period is coming to an end you will be notified by the ECS. If your child still requires the equipment you may apply for a loan extension, which will need to be approved by a member of your child's medical team. If your child no longer needs the equipment, you are required to return loan items to the ECS at PCH.
Consumables
The ECS provides consumable items that cannot be purchased from a general chemist or supermarket including:
- syringes and other sterile items
- nasogastric and PEG feeding supplies
- suction and tracheostomy supplies.
If your child requires consumable items when they are discharged, their ward will provide an initial two week supply. If ongoing supplies are required, your child's nurse will refer you to the Home Consumables Service, which operates out of the ECS.
The ECS can only provide consumables at the rate prescribed by the treating team or specialist.
How to get equipment
Your child's medical team will ensure that they are prescribed any equipment or consumables they will need following their discharge from hospital.
Please speak to a staff member on your child's ward if you have any questions about the ECS.