How the TEC and CES Community Responded to Uncertainty with Stability and Care

2​2 August 2025

The recent liquidation of NRS Healthcare was, and continues to be, a difficult moment for the Technology Enabled Care (TEC) and Community Equipment Services (CES) sector, with more than 1,500 staff directly affected and many more people relying on critical services.

In the weeks that followed, the TEC and Community Equipment Services sector came together with purpose, professionalism and compassion to support service continuity and safeguard those who depend on it.

TSA and BHTA focused on helping members navigate the uncertainty, understand their options, and remain connected to evolving development, and we would like to thank the sector for its coordinated response - including local authorities, commissioners, suppliers, and representative bodies, whose collective actions helped provide stability during a challenging time.

A Unified Response Across the TEC Sector

The level of cooperation and information-sharing across the sector has been exceptional, and TSA are proud to have been able to help facilitate this to ensure our members have been supported through a fast-moving and uncertain time.

TSA would like to particularly thank:

• The Local Government Association (LGA), Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), for continuing to work closely with TSA so we can keep our members informed and contribute to sector-wide planning

• All of the Ministers, legal advisors and Government officials who are working hard to keep people safe and who have listened to the needs of the sector

• All NRS colleagues who acted with professionalism and kindness to ensure the safety of people

• TSA members, who have and continue to contribute to our TEC contracts tracker, giving us the information needed to provide bespoke support

• Members who joined the TSA supplier support and local authority support calls to access advice, share insights and support each other

• Those who have answered our call to identify any additional members who may have been indirectly impacted so that we could provide tailored support

• Suppliers who acted ethically, in order to ensure service continuity

• Organisations who quickly answered our call to submit job vacancies to our website, to help support displaced staff

• Our stakeholders and partners who are maintaining regular communication with TSA to share developments, ensuring continuity

“This has been a challenging period for everyone involved, but it has also shown the strength and solidarity of our sector. From Local Authorities and suppliers to system partners and frontline teams, people responded with urgency, professionalism and care. We’ll continue working with our members and colleagues across the sector to support ongoing transitions and share learning.”
— Alyson Scurfield, Chair, TEC Services Association (TSA)

Collaboration and Continuity Across Community Equipment Services

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) worked closely with its Community Equipment Services members throughout this period to facilitate support, legal clarity and a platform for open communication.

Support during this period came from many quarters. BHTA especially recognises:

• BHTA members who engaged early to assess readiness, offer insight, and share challenges as the situation developed

• Political advisors and MPs who engaged with briefings to understand the broader implications across the CES supply chain

• Ministers who took time to meet and listen to sector concerns about continuity of care and supplier stability

• The legal advisors who supported a well-attended reactive webinar on 1 August and provided accessible guidance on insolvency and competition law

• All those who used and shared BHTA’s Insolvency Advice Note, helping organisations understand their position and rights
  View the note

• Those who contributed to or made use of the live Local Authority Contract tracker, keeping members informed as new Community Equipment Services providers were confirmed
  View the tracker

• Community Equipment Services providers who took part in BHTA’s member webinars and engaged openly with suppliers

• Members who attended those sessions, asked insightful questions, and contributed to the two-way dialogue

This response was only made possible by the collective efforts, professionalism and shared commitment of the Community Equipment Services community. BHTA extends its sincere thanks to every organisation and individual who contributed, offered support, or helped others navigate this period of uncertainty.

“BHTA has been working with national and local governments, as well as our members, to ensure continuity of CES services as best as possible. These services are a critical part of the health and social care landscape, and it’s vital that people who depend on them are not forgotten.”
— David Stockdale, CEO, British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA)

Looking Ahead

TSA and BHTA remain committed to supporting the sector through the coming months.

We will continue to:

• Engage with Local Authorities directly

• Host follow-up sessions with new Community Equipment Services providers and TEC suppliers

• Connect displaced professionals with live vacancies

• Provide updates and guidance to commissioners and providers

• Work with national partners on long-term sector resilience and learning

To everyone who played a part in the response - thank you. The willingness of organisations to share insights, ask questions and offer help to others played a vital role in shaping a constructive response.

I​f you are a TSA member and are in need of further support, please email membership@tsa-voice.org.uk and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.