The Specialist Community Nursing service aims to support clients to remain in their own community by providing professional nursing services in the client’s own home, or on an ambulatory basis depending on their health needs.

Specialist Community Nursing services (previously known as District Nursing) include generalist and specialist nursing services and may be intensive, short and long term, or more episodic in nature, that focuses on health recovery and ongoing health maintenance.

The Specialist Community Nursing team provides assessment, treatment and follow up after you have been discharged from hospital and are there to provide advice, support and education in partnership with your GP or any other service provider involved in your care. The service also provides specialist palliative care services in collaboration with your GP and a specialist palliative care team.

Referral to the specialist nursing service must be from a medical practitioner, a practice nurse, or other health care professional.

Specialist and post hospital discharge services include:

• Palliative Care
• Simple and Complex wound management
• Leg Ulcer
• IV Therapy
• Medication Administration
• Continence and catheter management
• Bowel care

The Specialist Community Nursing staff can also make referrals to other services, clinics and agencies as required.

Palliative Care Service

This service is available to provide:

• Ongoing assessment, liaison and coordination of care between health providers and services
• Symptom management and psychological support
• Specialist end of life nursing care for clients in the final stages of their illness
• Overnight relief for caregivers of clients who are terminally ill can be arranged in some circumstances

Access to specialist palliative care nursing services is by referral from your GP or hospital/hospice.

A Homecare Hospice service is also available on referral. The contact telephone number is 09 372 7131 or mobile 027 609 8099