The community nurses/ district nurses is a vital component of the healthcare system. Dedicated to delivering high-quality nursing support to housebound patients and their families within the comfort of their homes. This service plays a crucial role in addressing the clinical needs of individuals who are unable to access traditional healthcare facilities. Ensuring they receive the care they require without the added strain of traveling.
Service overview
Nursing care for housebound patients in South East Essex:
- The community nurses service provides anticipatory and responsive care as well as utilising high-level assessment skills to ensure the unique needs of each patient are met.
- Nurses have the capability to assess, diagnose, initiate treatment, and prescribe and administer necessary medications, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care.
- Holistic patient assessment in their home environment one of the key advantages of the district nursing service is the ability to conduct holistic patient assessments within the familiar surroundings of their homes.
- This approach allows nurses to gain a deeper understanding of the patient’s environment, lifestyle, and potential barriers to care, enabling them to tailor their interventions accordingly.
- Referrals to other services as appropriate the district nursing team recognises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.
- As such, they collaborate with other healthcare professionals and services, facilitating referrals when necessary to ensure patients receive the most appropriate and comprehensive care.
- Addressing the needs of carers as part of patient assessment, the district nursing service understands that the well-being of carers is intrinsically linked to the overall care of the patient.
- Therefore, nurses prioritise addressing the needs of carers as an integral part of the patient assessment process, providing support, guidance, and resources to help alleviate the physical and emotional demands of caregiving.
Service organisation and accessibility
The care is delivered by trained registered nurses and support workers, organised into two localities (Southend/ Castle Point, Rayleigh & Rochford).
Managed by modern matrons and aligned with local primary care networks. This organisational structure ensures efficient coordination and delivery of care within the communities served.
Service Hours: 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week. Priority calls only out of hours.
Patients can be referred to the district nursing service by their GP or other multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a seamless transition of care and continuity of support.
The district nursing service exemplifies the commitment to providing accessible, patient-centred care to those who may face challenges in accessing traditional healthcare facilities.
By bringing nursing expertise directly into patients’ homes, this service plays a vital role in promoting overall well-being, independence, and quality of life for housebound individuals and their families.
For any further information please visit: Community and district nursing | NHS England | Workforce, training and education