As a specialist provider of home care services for people with complex care needs. We understand how daunting it can feel when life takes an unexpected turn, leaving you feeling as though control has slipped away. That’s why our vision is clear: to give that control back. We are there for our service users at any stage of their journey, from the first point of discharge to home and onwards. The work we do is really special, but don’t just take our word for it.
It’s been a long journey, but we’ve faced it one day at a time. It’s amazing to be together as a family again, and to see the progress Joanna is making with school.
Anna, Joanna’s Mum
Joanna has been cared for by HASCS since 2023, previously we worked within the hospital to support her. Now we support her at home and at school.
Joanna is a bubbly and lively four-year-old who enjoys music, playing with toys and interacting with the world around her. Joanna has a rare chromosomal disorder, Trisomy 5p.
In January 2023, she was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton Children’s Hospital battling pneumonia and a collapsed lung.
Attempts to wean Joanna from her ventilator were unsuccessful and she required ventilation via a tracheostomy 24-hours a day. This has helped her breathe more comfortably and allowed her to take important strides in her recovery and most importantly to go home.
After a year under the exceptional care of the team at Southampton Children’s Hospital Joanna was transferred to a hospital closer to her home with the support of our care team, and eventually returned home to be with her family. But this was not the last of milestones and achievements for Joanna this year.
A New Chapter: Starting School
In September 2024, Joanna took another big step forward. She joined her reception classmates and began school—a moment that her family and care team celebrated as a testament to her strength and determination. Joanna’s HASCS team accompanies her to school, helping her navigate her new environment while continuing to support her care needs.
Joanna can’t speak due to her condition and her tracheostomy. However, her understanding is very good, and she is determined! Whether she’s expressing joy or frustration, Joanna makes her feelings known, proving that communication goes far beyond words. One of her most exciting developments has been learning Makaton sign language, a skill she’s mastering with the help of her parents and care team. This new way of connecting with the people around her has been a game-changer, allowing her to express herself more effectively and participate fully in her growing world.
Joanna’s story is one of hope, resilience, and the profound impact of compassionate care. It’s also a story about partnership—between Joanna’s family, the hospital teams, and HASCS, all working together to give her the best possible quality of life.
Joanna’s journey is just one of many that inspire us to keep going. As specialists in complex care, we believe in celebrating every milestone, no matter how small, and supporting our service users through life’s challenges and triumphs.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our complex care services, we’re here to help. Let’s take the journey together and create a brighter, more empowered future.
