District nurses

A district nurse is a registered or enrolled nurse who works out in the community providing nursing care and education.

They can visit you in your own home if you need support with an ongoing problem (eg, a leg ulcer) or if you need nursing care after an operation or a fall. They can also assess whether you need home support services (eg, meals on wheels or help with personal care or chores at home) and they can co-ordinate with organisations who can help.  

District nurses support and promote a healthy lifestyle to help you maintain your independence. They work closely with you, your whānau and others involved in your care, such as your healthcare provider, physiotherapists and dietitians.

If you have access to transport and are mobile, you may receive an appointment to see a district nurse at a community clinic.

District nurses around Aotearoa New Zealand provide many services. These may include:

• wound care, including care of leg ulcers
• management of IV (intravenous) medicines, including injections for the prevention of rheumatic fever
• palliative or end of life support and care, including help with managing pain and other symptoms
• ostomy education and care
• continence assessment and urinary catheter management
• assessment for acute personal care and home help assessment (non-ACC)
• support with home oxygen therapy and provision of short-term loan equipment if needed
• support and advice if you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• health education
• liaison with other healthcare providers
• referral to other healthcare providers such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech language therapist, social worker, dietician, needs assessment and service co-ordinator (NASC) or hospice.

You usually need to be referred to the district nursing service in your area. Referrals can be made by a doctor, nurse, other appropriate health professionals, or ACC community nursing providers. In some areas you may be able to self-refer (or your whānau or a caregiver may be able to refer you to the service) in partnership with other healthcare providers.

A district nurse will assess your level of need and decide how often they’ll see you and when you might be discharged from the district nursing service back to your GP or nurse practitioner. This can depend on why you were referred to the service and whether you already have any home support or care. In general, your care will continue until your situation has been managed or resolved.

Many regions provide a 7-day-a-week service, however weekend and evening visits are usually for essential care only.

While you’re receiving district nursing care your healthcare provider still has the overall management of your care.

Image credit: Depositphotos

District nursing services in Aotearoa New Zealand are funded by the government through Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. This means that this service is free for New Zealand residents or if you meet eligibility criteria(external link) set by the Ministry of Health.

There are some private providers of community nursing services who do charge fees although you may be eligible for some funding from ACC or another agency.