By Innovate Complex Care Services
If you or someone you care for has complex medical needs, you may have questions about what complex care actually involves, how it differs from other types of care, and how to access it.
At Innovate Complex Care Services, we specialise in the safe delivery of nurse-led and nurse-delegated home-based care for adults and children with complex needs across the UK. Below, we answer some of the most common questions to help guide you through this essential area of care.
What is Complex Care?
Complex care refers to specialised support for individuals with serious or long-term health conditions that require clinical input and oversight. This type of care is typically needed following hospital discharge or when an individual’s condition becomes more advanced.
People requiring complex care often:
- Need 24/7 support due to the severity of their condition
- Have care needs that are unpredictable or high-risk
- Require carers with specialist training, such as tracheostomy care, ventilator management, enteral feeding, or epilepsy care
At Innovate, we design packages of care that are fully tailored to each individual’s medical, emotional, and social needs—whether the care is delivered by registered nurses or by trained carers under nurse delegation.
What is a Complex Care Plan?
A complex care plan is a detailed, personalised document that outlines how an individual’s care will be delivered. It includes:
- A thorough clinical and environmental assessment
- Input from NHS teams, therapists, families, and the individual themselves
- Emergency and escalation protocols
- Staff training requirements and clinical competencies
At Innovate, all care plans are created and reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, with clear clinical governance and flexibility to adapt to changing needs.
What is a Complex Care Assistant?
A complex care assistant is a trained support worker who delivers delegated healthcare tasks as part of a client’s care plan. At Innovate, our care assistants are:
- Trained and assessed under the supervision of registered nurses
- Supported with ongoing competency checks and clinical reviews
- Matched to clients based on skills, experience, and personality
This nurse-delegated approach ensures a high standard of care while maintaining cost-effectiveness and continuity at home.
What is Complex Care Management?
Complex care management refers to the clinical coordination and oversight of an individual’s care package. This involves:
- Planning and risk-assessing delegated clinical tasks
- Ongoing training and supervision of staff
- Coordinating with NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) or Children’s Continuing Care (CYPCC) teams
- Ensuring documentation, reporting, and feedback loops are in place
Innovate provides full complex care management in-house, giving families confidence that their loved one’s care is being proactively monitored and safely delivered.
How Does Complex Care Differ from Other Types of Home Care?
Unlike general domiciliary care, which may focus on basic tasks like washing, dressing, or meal prep, complex care involves:
- Clinical interventions (e.g., PEG feeding, suctioning, medication via syringe driver)
- Condition-specific expertise
- Nurse involvement in delivery or supervision
It’s intended for individuals with ongoing healthcare needs, often defined by NHS Continuing Healthcare eligibility criteria.
What Conditions Does Complex Care Cover?
At Innovate Complex Care Services, we support clients with a wide range of conditions, including:
- Airway and respiratory conditions, including tracheostomy and non-invasive ventilation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Acquired and traumatic brain injuries
- Neurological disorders, such as Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s
- Epilepsy and seizure management
- Autism, learning disabilities and complex behaviours
- Children’s complex care, including transitional support into adulthood
Each client’s care plan is designed specifically around their clinical condition and their goals for independence and well-being.
Why Are Complex Care Services Important?
Complex care enables people with high-acuity needs to remain safely at home, rather than in hospital or long-term institutional settings. This:
- Improves quality of life
- Supports family involvement
- Reduces pressure on NHS beds and services
- Offers cost-effective long-term care solutions
With the right provider, complex care can be life-enhancing for the client and their family.
How is Complex Care Regulated?
Complex care delivered at home must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Providers are legally required to register under the Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI) category, which authorises them to deliver clinical interventions under nursing oversight.
Innovate is fully CQC registered and holds TDDI approval. We conduct regular internal audits, client feedback forums, and incident reviews to continuously monitor and improve our services.
You can view our registration and inspection ratings on the CQC website.
What Makes Innovate Complex Care Services Different?
At Innovate, we exclusively deliver complex care services. We offer:
- Both nurse-delivered and nurse-delegated care depending on need
- In-house clinical oversight from experienced registered nurses
- Bespoke training for each client’s team
- A collaborative approach with families and NHS professionals
- Full alignment with NHS CHC and CYPCC frameworks
Our focus is on safe care, positive outcomes, and ensuring each individual’s voice is central to their care plan.
How Do I Arrange Complex Care?
There are two main routes:
- NHS referral via CHC or CYPCC teams – Most of our clients are referred through the NHS, following eligibility assessment. We work closely with NHS commissioners to mobilise packages quickly and safely.
- Direct enquiry – If you have a Personal Health Budget (PHB), private funding, or are awaiting CHC assessment, you can contact us directly for advice and support.
