A District Nurse provides a broad range of home nursing functions. After the client's initial assessment he/she is assigned to a district nurse who is responsible for the implementation, regular evaluation and review of the nursing care plan. A holistic care approach is taken with the aim of encouraging client independence and self management.
Some District Nurses have acquired and have continued to maintain specialist knowledge in a particular area relevant to home nursing. It is expected that nurses with specialist roles will act as a resource for all other nursing staff and provide client assessments as required.
Ballarat District Nursing employs Registered Nurses, Division 1 and 2 and Community Care Workers (Personal Care Workers) to provide holistic care in the home to clients in the greater Ballarat area extending into the Golden Plains.
We aim to support the frail, elderly and disabled to be cared for in their home.
Services we provide include wound care, stomal therapy, continence care, diabetes care, aged care services, hospital liaison, comprehensive client needs assessment, Post Acute Care services, HACC education, personal care and hygiene, palliative and chronic disease self management support. We respond to Safety Link and Hospital in the Home for clients who have no immediate family or support.
Our role is to provide comprehensive care to clients at home. For example this may include assistance with care co-ordination, advocacy on behalf of the client, carer and family, medication management and working closely with GP's to provide ongoing care. To ensure that we provide the best possible care we collaborate with numerous other services in Ballarat to provide exceptional home care.
We are continually researching and developing new ways of providing optimal care. Our service is highly mobile, we travel within a 30Km radius of Ballarat and we are aiming by the end of next year to be online with computers available in most cars. We currently use mobile phones with digital photography and communications capability delivering prompt and efficient care.
The Wound Care Specialist offers clients a full wound assessment, management, and education. This care involves support and ongoing care relating to the clients specific needs, including Doppler on lower leg wounds. The role of Wound Care Educator also extends to BDNH staff and outside agencies.
Continence is the inability to control bladder and bowel function. Once the problem has been identified then a care plan can be developed to either regain continence or help manage incontinence. Ballarat District Nursing and Healthcare nursing staff are able to provide support and referral, including:
The continence clinical nurse specialist works closely with our nursing staff to ensure that clients receive the care and reassurance they require as well as assisting clients to maintain their independence.
Stomal therapy nursing is the specialised care of individuals anticipating surgery which may result in the creation of a stoma, or who have an abdominal stoma for the diversion of stool or urine. It may encompass the care of individuals with draining wounds, fistulae, incontinence management problems and actual tissue trauma.
This care includes education, assessment, support and ongoing care relating to the clients specific needs. Advice is also offered to help obtain necessary equipment and appliances suited to the clients needs.Including:
