District Nursing/Hospital in the Home/Residential In Reach/CHSP- Personal Care & Respite and Stomal Therapy

District Nursing

The District Nursing Service provides care to the people of Swan Hill and district in their home environment. Nurses assess, treat and educate people of all ages.

The service works closely with other health providers in the community, and promotes client involvement.

Nursing interventions/activities include:

• Assessing health needs
• Clinical monitoring
• Medication administration
• Wound Management
• Venipuncture
• Palliation – pain management and hydration

Hospital in the Home (Hospital level care at home)

District Nursing Services offers Hospital in the Home (HITH) services for short-term care. The level of care is equivalent to being in hospital, however it is provided in the comfort of the persons home environment.

Residential In Reach (RIR)

RIR is a free service that provides onsite clinical support to residents Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF), providing an alternative option to review in the hospital Emergency Department. Whilst the treating GP should be contacted as the first option for care, the RIR service can be contacted to assist with the assessment and to liase with the GP to establish a plan of care.

RACF staff can also refer directly to RIR for acute clinical assessment and treatment for a range of issues where the GP is not available. RIR staff also offer education to RACF clinical and care staff to support patients with additional care needs including wounds, PEG tubes and catheters.

RIR aims to:

• Facilitate optimum health care and health outcomes for residents living in RACF’s
• Provide timely clinical support to RACF to enable residents to remain in their home environment

Assist residents, facility staff and families to coordinate care through the hospital system.

Stomal Therapy Services 

An inpatient and outpatient service is provided to people who have, or require a stoma, that is, an artificial opening on the surface of the body leading into the gastro-intestinal tract or the trachea.

The nurse provides care, assistance with appliance management, support and education to the patient and their family.

This service is supported by funding from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments under the HACC–PYP, CHSP and Community Health programs, eligibility criteria will apply.