Community nursing brings appropriate nursing care into a person's home.
For someone living with chronic illness, recovering after hospitalisation, managing a wound or requiring ongoing clinical care, being supported at home can make care more convenient while helping the person remain in familiar surroundings.
My Aged Care describes nursing care as qualified clinical care that helps manage and monitor medical conditions at home. My Aged Care
What can community nursing include?
Depending on the person's individual clinical needs and service arrangements, community nursing may include:
nursing assessment and health review
wound assessment and wound management
complex wound care where appropriate
medication management or administration
diabetes-related nursing support
continence assessment and management
catheter care
skin assessment and pressure-injury prevention or management
PEG/enteral-feeding support where appropriate
chronic-condition monitoring
post-hospital nursing care
education for the person and their carers
coordination with GPs, specialists and allied-health professionals.
The Australian Government's Support at Home nursing-care category specifically recognises community-based nursing for assessing, treating, and monitoring clinical conditions; medication administration; wound care; clinical continence management; skin-integrity management; education; and specialist-service linkage. Dept of Health, Disability & Ageing
Who might benefit?
Community nursing may be worth discussing if:
- A wound isn't healing as expected.
- Medicines have become difficult to manage.
- Health needs have become more complex.
- You have had a recent hospital admission.
- A catheter, continence issue or other clinical need requires professional support.
- A family carer is being asked to perform clinical tasks they are not confident performing.
- Changes in health need assessment or monitoring.
What happens at the first visit?
The exact process depends on the referral and service required, but a nurse may review your health needs, current treatment, medications, risks and the care being requested.
Relevant documents—such as your medication information, discharge summary, wound-management instructions or specialist recommendations—can help the nurse understand your current treatment plan.
The nurse can then determine the appropriate nursing plan within the agreed service arrangements and, where necessary and authorised, communicate with other health professionals.
Is community nursing the same as personal care?
No.
Nursing care is clinical care. Personal care generally assists with everyday activities such as showering, dressing, grooming and other personal routines.
Some people need one; others need both.
When should I seek urgent medical help?
Community nursing is not an emergency service.
If you have a serious or life-threatening medical emergency, call 000.
For non-emergency health advice when you are unsure what to do, Healthdirect can also provide health information and advice.
Talk to a nurse about care at home
Enquire about community nursing
Office: 08 6388 0982 Dial # 2
Clinical Care Manager: 0494 722 663
connect@sacommunitysupport.com.au