Complex care training case study: The impact of joined-up thinking

This article looks at how tailored training can positively impact on the lives of people living with complex care needs

Client overview

The client was a young adult based in the Cardiff and Vale area of South Wales, living at home with family following a life-changing neurological injury. A new care package had been developed to support a safe transition from hospital to a community setting, requiring a skilled and confident care team.

Complex care requirements

The individual presented with a range of high-acuity clinical needs, including:

• Tracheostomy care and airway management
• Non-invasive ventilation support
• Enteral feeding via PEG
• Full assistance with mobility and moving and handling
• Communication challenges
• Elevated risk of respiratory complications

These requirements demanded a bespoke training solution to ensure safe, effective, and person-centred care delivery.

Commissioning and partnership approach

The training package was commissioned in collaboration with the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) as part of an integrated approach to discharge planning and ongoing community care.

Acute Training Solutions worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure a seamless and coordinated service. These included Integrated Care Board representatives and CHC case managers, community nursing and specialist services, and the local authority.

Through this collaborative approach, Acute Training Solutions ensured training was fully aligned with the wider CHC care package and stakeholder expectations, incorporating clinical guidance, risk management strategies, and individual preferences into its design, while also providing clear competency frameworks to support governance, audit, and quality assurance.

Programme development and delivery

Building on this collaborative approach, Acute Training Solutions delivered a comprehensive, fully-managed training service that translated agreed clinical standards, risk management strategies, and individual preferences into a structured, competency-based programme for the care team. This was achieved through:

• Initial engagement with Integrated Care Board representatives and case managers
• Direct consultation with the client’s family to understand routines, preferences, and goals
• Multi-disciplinary collaboration with the client’s GP, community nursing team, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists
• Liaison with the local authority to align with care planning and funding structures
• Detailed review of clinical records and risk assessments
• Design and implementation of a bespoke, person-centred training programme

This collaborative approach ensured consistency across all aspects of care and aligned training with real-world needs.

Specialist training delivery and clinical expertise

A tailored training programme was delivered to the care team, covering:

• Tracheostomy care, including emergency management
• Airway suctioning techniques
• PEG feeding and medication administration
• Infection prevention and control
• Client-specific moving and handling techniques
• Adapted basic life support

Training was delivered by a highly-experienced clinician with a background in critical care nursing and extensive expertise in complex community care. The trainer held relevant teaching and assessment qualifications and ensured all staff achieved competency through a blend of theory, practical training, and in-situ assessments within the client’s home.

Follow-up support

The team continued to add value beyond initial training delivery by:

• Providing competency assessments and governance documentation
• Delivering refresher training and follow-up support visits
• Supporting the induction and training of new staff
• Assisting with updates to care plans as the client’s needs evolved

This ongoing support helped maintain high standards of care, improved staff confidence, and ensured continuity and safety for the individual.