You will be referred to Home Health Care by your General Practitioner, Practice Nurse, hospital inpatient team or by the outpatient clinic.
What to expect
Your referral will be sent by fax to our central referral centre where it will be processed and sent to the appropriate health provider. Some services do have waiting lists and referrals are seen in order of need/risk. If you are placed on a waiting list, you will receive a letter.
The first member of the Home Health Care team who visits you will complete a comprehensive general assessment. This may take up to an hour. If another concern is identified they will then refer you on to the appropriate member of the team to assist you with this.
Your care will continue until the problem has been managed or resolved. A letter outlining the care you have received will be sent to your GP on discharge from our care.
While receiving care from us your GP still has the overall management of your care. The Privacy Act and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights will be explained to you and at times we may need to share information about your progress with other healthcare professionals involved with your care. We provide home based care but there are also clinics available to people who are mobile.
District Nurse services are available 7 days per week. Service in the weekends and public holidays is limited to essential care only as we have reduced staffing levels. The other team members work Monday to Friday.
Most District Nursing visits are conducted between 9am – 2pm. We ask that you remain at home if you are expecting a visit. If you are not going to be home please call to let us know so that we can then visit someone else. If you are not at home for 3 visits we may discharge you back to your GP for ongoing care.
You will usually receive a phone call prior to our visit on the first occasion. Please ensure that dogs are restrained to allow access to your home and that other hazards are identified to the healthcare professional prior to their visit.
