The South Eastern Trust’s District Nursing Service makes a significant difference to the lives of patients and families across the Trust area, delivering safe, high-quality nursing care where it matters most, in patients’ own homes.
The service provides care through a ‘one team approach’, with home recognised as the best and first place of care whenever possible.
District Nurses support adults over the age of 18 with a wide range of complex health needs, including wound management, palliative and end-of-life care, PICC line management, chronic disease management, medication administration and support for patients and their families to remain independent at home avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.
Over the past four years, Tommy Greer from Donaghadee, has really benefited from the District Nursing Service in the Trust.
Tommy explained, “The District Nursing Team has been amazing. They have been coming to me for the last four years and I could not do without them. They have really made a difference to my health, both mentally and physically. I need to have both my legs dressed and I do not have to go to hospital every time. The District Nurses come out to my house. I would not be able to walk into the hospital or my GP surgery, so their support means everything to me. They are a fantastic Team, I would be lost without them.”
District Nursing is unique in that it supports not only patients, but also their families and carers. Teams build strong therapeutic relationships, often supporting people from the early stages of their illness.
Community Staff Nurse, Sarah Jamison, who works in the North Down area said, “I love the variety of District Nursing. No two days are the same and being able to deliver such a wide range of care in a home environment is really unique. It is a real honour to look after people where they feel most comfortable.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is building relationships with patients. People are more relaxed at home and that allows you to really build trust and rapport. We are a vital link between GPs and other services and providing that primary care support to improve patients’ lives is invaluable.”
Senior Community Staff Nurse in the Ards area, Amy McAvoy, said “Going into someone’s home is about getting to know them as a patient, along with their family and providing care that meets their individual needs. The level of complexity we manage has increased significantly, particularly in relation to palliative and end-of-life care.
“I am incredibly proud to be a District Nurse. I absolutely love my job and cannot see myself working anywhere else.”
Lisburn Senior Community Staff Nurse, Claire Sewell, who has worked in the community for almost five years and is currently undertaking her specialist practice in District Nursing, said the role goes far beyond clinical care. Claire added, “We are highly skilled practitioners providing a wide range of treatments to help patients maintain their independence at home.
“The role is about getting to know patients as people, not just their condition. District Nursing is as much about understanding who someone is and what matters to them as it is about clinical skills.”
Community District Nurse, Cara Laird from the Down area highlighted the advanced skill mix within District Nursing Teams. “Within the District Nursing Team we have a wide range of staff, including Nurse Prescribers who can assess wounds, prescribe dressings and arrange delivery directly to the patient’s home, often without needing to contact the GP. This allows us to respond quickly and provide timely, effective care.”
South Eastern Trust, Quality Improvement and Governance Lead in Primary Care Nursing, Jayne Carson, said the service plays a crucial role in delivering safe, effective care across the community, “The District Nursing Service is central to our vision of providing high-quality, person-centred care closer to home.
“Through strong governance, continuous quality improvement and a true ‘one-team approach’, our District Nurses deliver safe, compassionate and effective care to some of our most vulnerable patients. The work they do every day has a real and lasting impact on patients, families and communities and their role in supporting independence and improving quality of life is vital.”