About the Service
District nurses provide specialised care/ treatment for patients and families/whānau in their own homes, if housebound due to their medical condition, or in a district nursing clinic.  Our main role is to support and promote a healthy lifestyle in order to help people remain independent.

The district nurses will coordinate patient care; from admission to the service, until they transfer care back to the GP practice.  They work closely with the patient and their health team (GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, social workers, dietitians and needs assessment and service co-ordinators) to ensure the patient receives the best possible care.

The service provides:

• specialised wound care, including leg ulcer assessment and treatment
• palliative care, working with GPs and other providers to manage pain and other symptoms; this may include managing syringe drivers
• assistance with the management of intravenous (IV) medications; urinary catheters; continence issues; stoma care; and injections, including rheumatic fever prophylaxis
• provision of short term loan equipment if required for nursing care
• education and advice about healthcare needs and/ or illness
• support for patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.