Complex Care Support Team

A photo of the Alder Hey Complex Care Support Team.

The Complex Care Support Team (Formerly known as the Complex Discharge Team) work within the hospital to provide a holistic approach to preparing for discharge for Children with Medical Complexities (CMC). We are child and family focused and dedicated to ensure a safe and effective discharge from Alder Hey back, into their home and local community. Our aim is to ensure that the needs of the children, young people and families are addressed on a health, social and holistic level.

We work alongside the ward and medical teams, facilitating a safe and timely discharge as soon as it is clinically appropriate. This includes acting as a bridge between hospital and community to resolve any issues the family may be having in relation to housing, equipment, care packages and support.

Successful planning starts with the child and family, with the right intervention early we ensure that children and their families receive the best hospital experience possible, including on the way home, no matter the journey taken!

A weekly ‘Complex Care Support Ward Round’ provides the opportunity for ward staff to raise any issues and seek timely advice and guidance from the Complex Care Support Team. This can be support for children and their families in terms of housing, financial support, help with equipment or liaison with community health services to facilitate a safe discharge from hospital.

MDT meetings can be arranged at regular intervals as needed for children who have a length of stay of more than 7 days. These meetings are to bring together all the teams around the child to update, problem solve and better co-ordinate a plan going forwards. These can be completed virtually with professionals and families using Microsoft teams to ensure all parties are able to attend.

Who we support

We support any child or young person that has a long-term condition, or have two or more specialities involved, as well as one or more of the following non-medical barriers to discharge.

Emergency funding (in patient only)
Vulnerable families e.g. parenting capacity, families in need
Unresolved housing issues, including rehousing and adaptations advice
Anticipated long term ongoing care needs within the community
Care package breakdown
Social care referrals required
Unresolved immigration issues
Repatriation and transfer difficulties
Legal cases
Challenge in coordinating clinical care

Why we support

Evidence informs us that being home and living within the community is the best place for our children with medical complexity to maximise their development and remain as safe and as healthy as possible. With that, the focus of the team is to assist with facilitating an effective discharge for your children and young people at the earliest opportunity. The trust recognises how integral parents are in the provision of care and endeavours to empower parents and/or carers so they may play an active role in their child’s care. The team will prioritise the training, skills and ongoing support for parents, so they are confident and competent in meeting their child’s needs and with that provide parents with increased empowerment and skills to ensure they are able to meet their child’s needs. The team may at times look to compliment the support with external carers for the home where appropriate, however priority will be given to parents first to facilitate the discharge sooner without unnecessary delay.

Meet the team

Cathryn Livingstone

Team Lead and Specialist Occupational Therapist

Cathryn undertakes Occupational Therapy assessments and planning, particularly in relation to any equipment or housing needs and provides advice regarding equipment and adaptations for the home. [email protected]

Mark Mcnulty

Complex Discharge Lead Nurse

Mark is a dual qualified nurse / social worker and can provide support around early help Assessments, social care referrals and Continuing Care eligibility checklists and assessments for those children who are likely to require a care package to live safely at home. [email protected]

Sarah Campbell

Social Worker

Sarah is a social worker who provides specialist social care advice and support in relation to the social impact of a child’s complex health needs on them and their family.
[email protected]

Claire Bowden

Operational Support Manager

Claire provides the day-to-day operational support for the Complex Discharge Team, including the facilitation of MDT’s when and where required.
[email protected]

Jennifer Stevens

Complex Care Coordinator

Jennie is a qualified nurse and can provide support around early help Assessments, social care referrals and Continuing Care eligibility checklists and assessments for those children who are likely to require a care package to live safely at home. [email protected]

Nicola Hughes

Administration Clerk

Nicola provides the day to day Administration support for the Complex Care Support Team, she also plays a key role in MDT’s and financial funding for our inpatients. [email protected]

We are also supported by:

Nicola Hughes – Admin Clerk

Carol Rowlands – Head of Nursing Community and Mental Health Division and

Dr. Jane Ratcliffe – Consultant Paediatrician and Acting Medical Lead.