About the Service
District nurses provide specialised care/treatment for patients in their own homes, who are housebound due to their medical condition. Our main role is to support and promote healthy lifestyles in order to help people remain independent.

We work closely with you, GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, social workers, dietitians and needs assessment and service co-ordinators to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Some of the services we provide are:

• Specialised wound care, including ulcer assessment and treatment
• Palliative care, working with GPs and other providers to manage pain and other symptoms
• Assistance with managing syringe driver infusions, IV medications and helping patients receive injections
• Management of urinary catheters
• Provision of short term loan equipment if applicable
• ACC nursing care at home or work, please click here
• Education and advice
• Support for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

With the patient’s permission, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health Specifications, referrals to the District Nursing service are accepted from:

• Medical practitioners
• Practice nurses
• Other appropriate healthcare professionals
• Self, family and caregivers in partnership with the other healthcare providers
• ACC treatment providers such as GPs, DHB staff, medical specialists, ACC assessors, self, family and caregivers in partnership with other healthcare providers.

Entry Criteria
Adults 16 years and over who are residing in the community and:

• are housebound and have a need for generalist or specialist nursing care
  or:
• are ambulatory and requiring specialist nursing services
• are residents in a residential facility for people with intellectual and/or physical disability where nursing is not provided
• meet the requirements based on the MoH 2001 Risk Assessment Framework.
   

ACC – the claimant is aged 16 years or over and:

• has an accepted claim for cover for personal injury under the IPRC Act or is likely to have an accepted claim
• requires community nursing services in their home or workplace in order to restore their health to the maximum extent practicable
• lives or works within the WDHB catchment area.