TRACHEOSTOMY CARE GROUP at South Tees

The Tracheostomy Care Group at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust was formed in February 2010.

The broad purpose of this multidisciplinary group is to enhance the care and safety of patients with tracheostomies.

Aims

The group’s objectives are to:

• Promote best practice in the management of patients with tracheostomies and established laryngectomies throughout the Trust.
• Develop and maintain evidence-based guidelines for tracheostomy care for use at The James Cook University Hospital and The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.
• Deliver education and training to clinical areas that regularly care for patients with tracheostomies, based on these guidelines.
• Audit key aspects of tracheostomy care, including critical incidents and compliance with Trust guidelines, to support continuous quality improvement.
• Develop and maintain a competency framework for healthcare professionals caring for patients with tracheostomies.

Membership

The Tracheostomy Care Group is a multidisciplinary team comprising representatives from:

• Critical Care
• Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
• Maxillofacial Surgery
• Trauma Services
• Neurosciences
• Spinal Cord Injury Services
• Critical Care Education
• Resuscitation Services

Membership includes a broad range of healthcare professionals, including:

• Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Medical staff
• Clinical educators

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the group’s work reflects the expertise and perspectives of all professionals involved in the care of patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies, supporting safe, evidence-based, and patient-centred practice across the Trust.