Usually, a person will have a primary diagnosis such as a learning disability, acquired brain injury or mental health condition and in addition have several associated conditions or diseases alongside that such as a heart condition, epilepsy, or diabetes.

Enabling people with complex care needs to live the kind of life they want requires careful planning before they move in. Training plays a vital role in this, ensuring we have highly skilled, competent, and knowledgeable colleagues to provide a high level of care.

At Hazelcare we have developed a number of bespoke learning modules which equip colleagues to support people with designated health care tasks. This can include things like diabetes management, catheter care, PEG/PEJ care amongst other things.

This approach means appropriate care can be undertaken by familiar people, rather than waiting for NHS or external health professionals, with care based around an individual’s routine ensuring a more person-centred approach and better outcomes.

Colleagues feel confident and equipped to respond to needs, knowing when to seek medical advice so issues are quickly picked up leading to early interventions and preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.

This pro-active way of working can lead to a person receiving preventative medical care allowing them to remain at home rather than in a hospital or if they are admitted, as they require medical care, they can be discharged home earlier knowing their support team have the skills to care for them.

As well as complex health needs, complex care can also include people that display behaviours that may challenge.