Most district nurses are based in health centres. They visit patients in their own home, GP Surgeries and residential homes.

The district nurse will visit regularly depending on the patients/carers’ needs. They will evaluate the nursing care and depending on changing needs, will respond accordingly.

The district nurse will carry out a comprehensive holistic assessment in partnership with the patient and carer, develop an individual care package. The holistic assessment will look at your needs, e.g.:

• Physical.
• Social/Financial.
• Psychological.
• Emotional.
• Spiritual.

The district nurse may need to contact other services to meet the needs identified e.g.

• Occupational Therapist.
• Social Worker.
• Physiotherapist.
• Podiatrist.
• Care Management.
• Speech & Language Therapist.
• Dietician.
• Pastoral Advisor.
• Marie Curie e.g. to give carer a rest at night.
• Hospice Care - Specialist Palliative Care Nurses.
• Macmillan Grants e.g. for washing machines, fans etc.
• Other Specialist Nurses e.g. Diabetic Nurse, Continence Nurse, Tissue Viability Nurse.
• Self Help groups.

The district nurses provides skilled nursing care such as:

• Physical care.
• Symptom control.
• Pain control.
• Support.
• Advice and guidance.
• Wound care.

They will provide support and care throughout your illness, support continues to be offered to bereaved carers and families.