Domiciliary Equipment Service: Circular Economy in SA in Action (2019)

The challenge for Domiciliary Equipment Service: to ensure the South Australian community has accessible, affordable, safe and speedy assistive technology solutions AND to efficiently manage state government capital expenditure. The answer for Domiciliary Equipment Service: to invest in the purchase of a longer-lasting, single pool of high quality, durable and repairable assets AND to offer flexible and supportive hire, loan options to individuals and agencies AND to deliver this via in-house specialist personnel and a clever storage and logistics system. The outcome for Domiciliary Equipment Service: average customer wait of 2 days (compared to an industry average of 10 days). This not only improves the immediate quality of life for individuals it also reduces the number of hospital days and medical/specialist support required whilst patients would need to otherwise wait longer in-care for assistive technology equipment.

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Industry: Health Care & Social Assistance Innovation Actions: improved equipment utilisation (refurbishment, repair, recycling)

Circular Economy Themes: service-over ownership business model & collaborative platforms & equipment reverse cycles

Benefits: extended equipment utility, improved customer service without increased budgetary expenditure, reduced waste & landfill rates, lower greenhouse gas emissions, additional DES staff employment, positive return on investment and an average customer wait of 2 days rather than the industry average of 10 days or more.