About Us
Complex Care Teams are integrated health and social care teams. They are focused on supporting people with long term conditions and/or complex needs stay well and independent in the community. The teams are made up of a range of health and social care professionals including – therapists, nursing staff, community matrons, social care professionals and representatives from the voluntary sector.
The complex care teams are organised into geographical clusters and some clusters have more than one team. The current clusters are:
- Barnstaple.
- Bideford, Holsworthy and Torrington.
- Braunton, Lynton, Ilfracombe and South Molton.
What services are provided?
The services provided by each cluster vary but will include some or all of the services described below.
Community Rehabilitation Team
The community rehabilitation service is provided by a multidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, community rehabilitation nurses and a rehabilitation doctor. The team aims to help you become as independent as possible. More information on this service can be found here.
Lymphodema Service
The lymphoedema service offer support and treatment to patients suffering from lymphoedema in clinics at Barnstaple Health Centre. The team works with the community nursing teams to provide advisory visits to those who cannot attend a clinic. There are three members within the team, a Clinical nurse specialist, a specialist practitioner and dedicated administrative support (part-time). The team aims to provide a high quality service in line with current best practice for those patients suffering from lymphoedema or lipodema. More information on this service can be found here.
Respiratory Outreach Service and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service
The respiratory outreach service provides both respiratory nursing and physiotherapy expertise to patients, carers and other health professionals, contributing to the effective management of both acute and chronic phases of respiratory problems in the community.
The team members facilitate earlier discharge for patients admitted to acute hospital beds because of their lung condition, and liaise with other agencies to provide appropriate care and ongoing support to promote health and independence. The team encourage self management through ongoing education and exercise delivered in pulmonary rehabilitation programmes which are set in various locations across the community.
Community Nursing Team
The community nursing service aim to provide a service for people in the community with either acute needs or needs related to chronic illness but who do not need hospitalisation. Additionally, the community nursing teams work with other healthcare professionals to actively prevent hospital admission so that you can be cared for at home. Each team is based at either a community hospital or GP surgery and cover a geographical area. However, teams work flexibly to ensure that all areas can be covered. More information on this service can be found here.
Pathfinder Service
The Pathfinder team work with patient and carers to create a personalised care plan, so that a patient can return home or to another residential setting with the right support to stay safe and well. The team works with other services to provide multidisciplinary support from assessment through to treatment and care. The team aims to be as flexible as possible so that your needs are best met. More information on this service can be found here.
Are you looking for equipment to help you stay safe and independent?
Devon ‘Independent Living Centre’ is based in Newton Abbot, and is an NHS and Devon County funded equipment demonstration and assessment centre for all Devon residents. Our equipment specialist Occupational Therapists give guidance and advice about equipment that will help you stay safe and independent and can assess your equipment needs. If you are buying equipment for independence we can direct you to local or national suppliers with guidance on price and products.
Call us for advice or to book an appointment for an assessment at our demonstration centre, tel: 01392380181. See our website for advice and equipment guidance documents www.devon.cc/ilc and follow our latest news on twitter @ILCdevon and facebook: facebook.com/DevonILC
Expert Moving and Handling Advisor, Devon countywide
Staff in the community have access to an Expert Moving and Handing Advisor (EMHA) who is able to provide advice and support around complex moving and handling cases where risk assessment and equipment provision is integral. The EMHA provides individualised case support, discussion and signposting for staff and relevant organisations. This will always covers the regulations and legal frameworks that govern moving and handling. The EMHA also delivers specific scenario based master classes. The role ensures staff across all Devon health and social care have access to the latest moving and handling equipment developments encompassing an ergonomic approach of reducing risk and ensuring safe and effective care provision, whilst maintaining and optimising functional independence.