Community Nursing
1. What is it?
THS-South Community Nursing Services operate within a primary health care framework to deliver nursing services that support clients to remain independent and develop a self-management capacity to maintain their health and wellbeing within the home environment.
This service works collaboratively with other health care providers to plan and deliver the assessed nursing care required to support clients to remain at home and avoid either a hospital admission or presentation or early admission to residential care. Community nursing services are available in clinic settings at all community health centers or provide home visits for clients unable to attend a clinic.
Community Nursing services include but are not limited to:
- Assessments and development of agreed plans of care
- Catheter and continence
- Chronic condition/self-management programs and support
- Health education and promotion
- Medication management includes support and administration of medications via various routes and devices
- Palliative care
- Post-acute care following discharge from hospital
- Wound Management
On admission to a Community Nursing Service, one of the Registered Nurses will conduct an initial assessment, and plan care with the client and/or family. During this first visit, the nurse will also deliver care if required. The assessment may take longer than time allows on the first appointment so may need to be completed over several visits.
Discharge
Clients will be discharged from Community Nursing when:
- Their goals are met
- They no longer require the Community Nursing Service
- They are admitted to hospital or residential care
- They move out of the area
Community Nursing welcomes feedback from clients, carers, and community members to help us better understand your needs and improve our service. Please write to the Nurse Unit Manager via your local Centre.
2. Resources
Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service can assist with access to a range of Home and Community Care Services including Domestic assistance, Nursing, and personal care, Centre-based daycare, meals and other food services, Respite care and transport, Advocacy, Social Support and counseling, Home maintenance and modification.
3. Referral and Access by Region
Community Nursing Referrals
Referrals for all clients requiring the first visit after hours ie after 4.00 pm or on a weekend please contact the relevant THS South Community Nursing Service. Please see a detailed map of what service covers which area.
THS South Community Nursing Services welcome phone calls to discuss and manage complex and/or urgent referrals or any inquiry regarding a referral.
If necessary and with appropriate notice (usually 24 hours) THS South Community Nursing services can be available to attend case meetings to support and plan complex referrals with the referee and client and their family/carers as required.
The District Nurses
The District Nurses are one of Tasmania’s oldest and best-loved community organisations committed to care. They provide support which builds on clients’ strengths and abilities to help them continue living safely and well in their own homes and community. The District Nurses are an approved provider of Aged Care under the Commonwealth Aged Care Act and provide a full range of services across Tasmania for people over 65 years and under 65 years.
Community Nursing services are provided in your home and in our Community Clinic by a qualified nurse and may be on a regular or occasional basis. Services provided include:
wound care
- medication management
- blood pressure monitoring
- continence and catheter management
- diabetes management
- stomal therapy
- End of life/palliative care
- other specialised nursing related activities
After receiving a referral from My Aged Care for people over 65 years or Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service for under 65 years, a staff member will make contact.
The nursing assessor will develop a care plan that details the nursing assistance needed.
All of the nursing services can also be purchased privately through The District Nurses Private Services for a fee and can be provided 7 days per week, 365 days of the year.
DVA Eligible Clients – Gold and White Card Holders
DVA eligible clients can be referred directly to THS South Community Nursing Services.
If a veteran has an existing community nursing provider (generally in the last 6-12 months) they should be referred directly back to that provider unless the veteran specifically requests a new provider.
Contact details for all DVA providers – Tasmania
New Clients
New clients can be referred to community nursing services via Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service
Current Clients
Clients who are currently receiving community nursing services or received community nursing services prior to admission to an inpatient facility and required those services to continue on discharge can be referred via Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service on discharge. To make a community nursing referral please do so via Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service
Who can refer to Community Nursing Services?
- Self
- Family
- Caregiver
- Friend
- Doctor
- Hospital
Fees
Pensioners:
- $5.00 for one visit per week
- $10.00 for two or more visits per week
Other:
- $20.00 for one visit per week
- $30.00 for two or more visits per week
A waiver of fees may be considered in certain circumstances. Further information may be obtained from the Nurse Manager.
Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service
This service aims to help people stay in their own homes for as long as possible when they age, become frail or health deteriorates.
Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service provides easy access to information and referrals for home and community care services through a single phone call.
Anyone can contact Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service; those needing assistance or their family, carers, health professionals and other service providers. Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service makes access to community care easy.
Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service can help understand eligibility, which services are needed, and assist in gaining access to them.
Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service | Department of Health
Opening Hours
The service operates 8:30 am to 5:00 pm weekdays (except public holidays)
General Phone Number
Phone: 1300 769 699 Fax: 1300 721 611
Calls and faxes to 1300 numbers are the cost of a local call. Calls from mobile phones may be higher. National Relay Service / Translating and Interpreting Service is also available.
Referrals
Please proceed to our Community Nursing Referrals page for more information.