Major healthcare equipment firm on brink of failure

A major supplier of healthcare equipment to people who are being discharged from hospital or need support in their own homes, is on the brink of going bust.

NRS Healthcare, which works with the NHS and about 40 councils in England and Northern Ireland, is expected to run out of cash by the end of the week, the BBC understands.

The government said it was working with local authorities to minimise "any potential disruption" and find alternative suppliers.

In a letter, sent to the government early in July and seen by the BBC, councils warned of "a devastating impact" and "risk to life" and asked for a short-term loan for NRS while new arrangements were put in place.

It is believed no loan was offered, but most councils have now managed to get plans in place to keep services running.

Council leaders and social services bosses have since confirmed they are "exploring all options to maintain services, including alternative providers and local solutions".

"We are committed to ensuring that services remain as reliable as possible, especially to those people with the highest levels of need during this period of uncertainty," said the Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, in a joint statement with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.

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Source: BBC News, 30 July 2025