Tracheostomy Care at Home
Tracheostomy Care at Home
Living with a tracheostomy requires careful, consistent clinical support. CareLink Direct provides nurse-supervised tracheostomy care at home across Sussex and Surrey, so that people with complex airway needs can remain safe and comfortable at home, supported by a team that is properly trained to care for them.
Tracheostomy Care at Home
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening in the front of the neck that leads directly to the windpipe. A tube is placed through this opening to allow breathing, often when the upper airway is obstructed or when someone requires long-term breathing support.
Tracheostomy care involves cleaning and maintaining the tube and the skin around it to prevent infection, ensuring the airway remains clear and open, and responding promptly to any signs of difficulty. It is a procedure that requires specific training and consistent clinical oversight, and is not something that standard home care agencies are equipped to provide.
CareLink Direct’s team is trained in tracheostomy care, and every package is built around the individual’s needs following proper clinical assessment.
When is tracheostomy care at home the right choice?
Tracheostomy care at home is appropriate when someone has a long-term or ongoing need for airway support that can be managed safely outside a hospital setting with the right clinical team in place.
You may be considering tracheostomy care at home if your loved one:
- Has a tracheostomy tube in place and is being or has been discharged from hospital
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance of the tube and surrounding skin
- Needs airway monitoring and prompt response if breathing becomes difficult
- Is also receiving other forms of clinical care, such as ventilation support or enteral feeding
- Has a neurological condition, spinal injury or other complex need that affects airway management
How our tracheostomy care supports families
- Carers specifically trained in tracheostomy care, supervised by our nurse team
- Regular cleaning of the tube and stoma site to reduce the risk of infection
- Monitoring for signs of blockage, infection or skin breakdown
- Clear escalation procedures if breathing changes or a problem arises
- Coordination with hospital respiratory teams, community nurses and GPs
- Care plans built around the individual, reviewed regularly as needs change
- Families supported to understand what is happening and who to contact if they are concerned
What tracheostomy care involves
Our trained carers, working under nurse supervision, provide day-to-day tracheostomy care as part of a clinical care package. This includes:
- Cleaning the tracheostomy tube and inner cannula as prescribed
- Cleaning and caring for the skin around the stoma site
- Checking for signs of infection, redness or irritation
- Monitoring for signs of blockage or breathing difficulty
- Changing ties or securing devices as directed
- Providing oral hygiene support
- Documenting observations and reporting concerns to the nurse team
Arranging tracheostomy care at home
If your loved one has a tracheostomy and you are considering care at home, we would like to help. Our clinical team can talk through what the current arrangements involve, what training and preparation is needed, and how a safe care package can be put in place.
We do not send carers into tracheostomy packages without proper preparation. Every member of our team who provides this care is trained and signed off on competency before working independently.
Contact Us
Speak to our clinical team for support at home today!
Registered for TDDI
“Registered to provide Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI)”, meaning we are approved to deliver complex clinical care at home for people living with serious illness, disability, or injury.
