For individuals living with complex neurological, muscular, or respiratory conditions, a tracheostomy can be a life-saving intervention, but it also requires specialist care and ongoing management.
A tracheostomy is a surgical opening in the windpipe that allows for direct airway access, often necessary for those who have difficulty breathing independently or clearing secretions effectively.
However, without proper care, individuals with a tracheostomy face an increased risk of infection, blockages, aspiration, and respiratory distress.
Our highly trained carers provide specialist tracheostomy care to ensure safety, comfort, and dignity for those who require this level of support.
Who requires tracheostomy management?
Tracheostomies are used for a range of medical conditions, including:
Motor neurone disease (MND)
Motor neurone disease leads to progressive muscle weakness, including the muscles involved in breathing and coughing.
As the condition advances, a tracheostomy may be required to support airway clearance and ventilation.
How we help:
- Assisting with tracheostomy suctioning to prevent blockages
- Managing ventilation support, such as BiPAP or mechanical ventilation
- Monitoring for signs of infection or secretion build-up
Muscular dystrophy
As muscular dystrophy progresses, respiratory muscles weaken, making it harder to breathe independently.
A tracheostomy can provide a stable airway for ventilation and secretion management.
How we help:
- Providing airway clearance techniques to prevent mucus build-up
- Managing mechanical ventilation for breathing support
- Ensuring correct humidification to maintain airway function
Spinal cord injuries
A high spinal cord injury can lead to complete or partial loss of control over the breathing muscles, making it difficult to cough effectively or breathe without assistance.
How we help:
- Supporting individuals who require long-term ventilatory support via tracheostomy
- Assisting with suctioning and secretion clearance to prevent pneumonia
- Working with physiotherapists to improve respiratory function
Cerebral palsy (CP)
For some individuals with cerebral palsy, difficulties with swallowing and airway control can lead to aspiration and breathing complications, requiring a tracheostomy to manage their airway safely.
How we help:
- Providing gentle suctioning to remove secretions
- Supporting safe positioning to improve breathing comfort
- Working alongside speech and language therapists to reduce aspiration risks
Locked-in syndrome
Individuals with locked-in syndrome often rely on a tracheostomy for breathing assistance due to their limited ability to clear their own airways.
How we help:
- Regularly monitoring and managing tracheostomy function
- Ensuring safe suctioning techniques to maintain airway patency
- Providing positioning support to optimise respiratory function
Huntington’s disease
As Huntington’s disease progresses, individuals may develop swallowing difficulties and respiratory complications, requiring a tracheostomy to maintain airway safety.
How we help:
- Assisting with secretion management to prevent blockages
- Working with speech and language therapists to reduce aspiration risk
- Monitoring for infection and other complications
Specialist carers providing expert tracheostomy care
Our carers undergo extensive training in tracheostomy care, airway suctioning, and ventilatory support to provide safe, compassionate, and professional assistance.
If you or a loved one requires specialist tracheostomy care, our expert team is here to help.
Contact us today to discuss your needs and find out how we can support you.
