### What complex care involves

Complex care refers to a high level of specialist support provided to individuals with serious, long-term, or life-altering health conditions. It goes beyond standard personal or companionship care and is usually delivered by trained healthcare professionals. It involves specialist support tailored to people with long-term conditions or disabilities that require continuous and skilled management. The care plan is typically detailed and medically guided. Complex care often includes managing advanced medical needs, such as monitoring symptoms, administering prescribed treatments, supporting airway management, handling feeding tubes, or assisting with other clinical procedures. These tasks require specific training and clinical oversight. In addition to medical support, it may include assistance with daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and mobility. This can involve the safe use of equipment like hoists, lifts, and other mobility aids to prevent injury and ensure comfort. A key feature of complex care is a multidisciplinary approach. Care is usually coordinated by a team of professionals, which may include nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians. They work together to create and monitor a structured care plan tailored to the individual’s needs.

- Specialist support: Addresses the needs of those with long-term conditions or disabilities that require a higher level of support than standard care.
- Complex medical needs: May include managing symptoms, administering treatments, or assisting with tasks like airway management or using feeding tubes.
- Assistance with daily living: Can involve personal care tasks like bathing and dressing, as well as the use of equipment such as hoists and lifts.
- Multidisciplinary approach: Often involves a team of professionals, such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians, working together.

#### Examples of conditions that may require complex care:

- Acquired brain injury (ABI).
- Neurological conditions.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Profound and multiple learning disabilities.
- Complex mental health conditions.
- Severe mobility issues.
- Chronic and long-term illnesses.