Community nursing services and support work both help people living with disabilities, but they provide very different types of support. Community nursing services focus on clinical care delivered by appropriately qualified health professionals, while support workers generally assist with everyday activities and personal needs.
If you are an NDIS participant or supporting your loved one with ongoing health needs, understanding the difference between these services can help you access the right type of care. Community nursing services may be included in your NDIS plan when they meet the relevant funding requirements.
Whether you need support with a long-term health condition, recovery after hospital treatment, or ongoing clinical care at home, understanding how community nursing works can help you make informed decisions about your care. This article explains what community nursing services include, who may access them through the NDIS, and how they can be funded.
What Are Community Nursing Services?
Community nursing services are professional healthcare services provided in a person’s home or community rather than in a hospital or residential healthcare facility. They are designed for people who require clinical support to manage health-related needs while living at home.
Depending on the person’s circumstances, community nursing may involve services such as health assessments, wound care, medication-related support, and chronic disease management. The type and frequency of care will depend on the individual’s clinical needs and recommendations from their healthcare professionals.
Community Nursing vs Personal Care
Both these programs can assist people living with disabilities, but their goals are distinct from one another. Community nursing includes clinical nursing services by registered nurses or qualified nurses. This is meant for participants who need healthcare support in monitoring their health status, clinical care, and recovery from illness.
Whereas personal care aids participants in carrying out their day-to-day activities, such as:
- Showering and grooming
- Getting dressed
- Preparing food
- Assistance in mobility
- Undertaking household chores
- Community participation
Knowing the distinction between the two is essential, as the type of care offered depends on the needs of each participant. While some participants may need personal care alone, others may benefit from a combination of daily living care and professional nursing services.
Who Can Deliver Community Nursing Services?
Community nursing services require clinical care; they must be delivered by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals. The community nurses who will be offering the service will be registered nurses and others trained to offer the assessment, monitoring, and management of the health of the participant.
Professional nurses are involved in coordinating care with participants, their families, GPs, and other healthcare providers to ensure everyone involved in the participant’s care is working towards the same health goals while reducing the risk of gaps in treatment. This collaborative approach helps create personalized nursing care that supports both clinical well-being and individual goals.
An experienced service provider will also guarantee that the care provided to participants is safe and adheres to known clinical guidelines. Regardless of whether an individual needs temporary care during their recovery period or long-term home healthcare, the involvement of knowledgeable nursing professionals can give participants confidence that the care they receive is safe, appropriate, and tailored to their needs.
Who Can Access Community Nursing Services Through the NDIS?
Not every NDIS participant will require community nursing. Nursing-related support may be relevant when a participant has disability-related health needs that require clinical care and the support meets the applicable NDIS funding requirements.
The type of nursing support required will depend on the participant’s individual circumstances and clinical needs. Examples may include:
- Routine health assessments to track any changes in their health conditions.
- Medication management to use medicines safely.
- Wound care after sustaining injuries or having undergone surgery.
- Support with chronic disease management for managing long-term health conditions.
- Post-hospital care for the recovery process after hospitalisation.
Based on the requirements of the participant, the above-mentioned disability nursing services can be offered on either a temporary or permanent basis. It is important that, through these nursing services, proper levels of nursing care at home will be provided to each of the participants, ensuring that they will maintain their health in familiar surroundings.
If community nursing support is not included in your NDIS plan, it can be considered during your planning meetings. This will require you to provide evidence from your general practitioner, specialist, or any other health care provider to demonstrate why the support is needed.
Since nursing support can be included within a larger program of services, you may want to learn more about the range of support provided under the NDIS as well. Explore our NDIS Support Services for more information about various ways you can benefit from combined support services.
What Do Community Nursing Services Include?
Depending on a participant’s health requirements, NDIS plan, and clinical advice, community nursing services provide varying forms of support. Community nursing does not apply a one-size-fits-all approach; it offers custom-designed support to help individuals live independently and safely in their homes.
Regardless of whether the individual needs short-term care while recovering or needs long-term care to manage an illness, community nursing care revolves around enhancing health status and promoting independence through professional clinical care.
- Clinical Nursing Care at Home
Providing clinical care to patients at their homes is one of the most important functions of community nursing services. In accordance with the requirements of patients and services provided by the provider, this may include:
- Wound Care
Proper wound care is very important to avoid infections, promote healing, and minimize complications. It is the responsibility of registered nurses to observe patients’ wounds, monitor the healing process, administer proper dressings, and identify any risks that may require further medical attention.
- Medication Management
Through professional medication management, nurses can help to facilitate the process of making sure that the participant is getting medicine appropriately, monitor any possible side effects, and collaborate with the participant’s healthcare team to provide appropriate care.
- Health Assessments
It is important for regular health assessments to determine any changes in the participant’s health status before it escalates into something more serious. Continuous assessment helps nurses monitor progress, identify new health issues, and communicate with other health care providers when modifications to the patient’s plan of care are required.
- Chronic Disease Management
In the case of individuals with chronic illnesses, managing such illnesses is critical in promoting their overall well-being. Nurses continuously monitor, educate, and offer medical assistance to the patients to better cope with the illness and minimize the risk of developing complications
- Recovery After Hospital Treatment
Discharge from the hospital does not necessarily mean there are no longer clinical needs that need to be addressed. Many participants of the NDIS still need nursing assistance in their recovery period. Post-hospital care aims to provide a safe and comfortable transition from hospital to home. In accordance with the recovery plan of each individual, this process may include monitoring recovery, medication review, checking progress in recovery, and identification of changes in the health state requiring clinical attention.
For the family members and carers, the process of providing care to patients after discharge from the hospital is also challenging. In case there is an additional need for care during this time, respite care can be considered to help the carer for the period when the participant will continue having access to the nursing care services they need.
Providing professional home nursing care during the recovery process allows community nurses to ensure proper care for the participant at his or her home, making it less likely that the participant will be hospitalized again unnecessarily.
How Are Community Nursing Services Funded Through the NDIS?
Participants who are eligible for NDIS community nursing services can receive the support when it is directly linked to their disability and is deemed reasonable and necessary in the NDIS program. Depending on individual needs, nursing services funded by NDIS can be covered under different aspects of a person’s plan. Funding for NDIS nursing services depends on the plan meeting or plan review based on your health requirements and supporting clinical evidence.
In case there is any doubt regarding the inclusion of community nursing services or other disability nursing services in your plan, you should consult your planner, Support Coordinator, or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). They will be able to inform you about your funding options and if more nursing services would be required.
How to Access Community Nursing Services?
If you believe you may benefit from community nursing services, understanding the process can make it easier to access the right support through your NDIS plan.
- Review your Current NDIS Plan
Firstly, determine if the NDIS nursing services are included in your plan. If you are uncertain, the planner or the Support Coordinator can guide you on your funding options.
- Discuss Your Clinical Needs
Consult with your GP or healthcare practitioner about your health needs. They will be able to advise on whether home nursing services or in-home nursing services are right for you and provide supporting evidence if required.
- Gather Supporting Evidence
If additional nursing support is required, clinical evidence may be requested during an NDIS plan review. Clinical evidence can include medical reports, nursing evaluations, and recommendations from treating health care specialists to justify the need for home nursing services.
- Choose the Right Nursing Provider
The choice of an experienced provider is another significant step towards ensuring that you will receive safe and efficient treatment. You should look for providers with experienced registered nurses, a person-centered approach, and the ability to create a unique nursing care plan.
With the right provider and funding in place, you can begin receiving professional home nursing care that supports your health, well-being, and independence while allowing you to remain in the comfort of your own home.
Conclusion
The right community nursing services ensure that participants receive proper clinical attention while being in a safe, comfortable, and independent environment at their homes. Whether the nursing services include wound care, medication administration, chronic illness management, or post-hospital care, the nursing support is customized to suit individual health needs and goals.
If you feel that you might benefit from NDIS community nursing, looking into your NDIS plan and communicating your health needs to your healthcare provider or your Support Coordinator will be a good first step. They can help you understand your eligibility and guide you towards the most appropriate nursing support for your individual needs.
When you’re ready to explore your options, choose an experienced provider that ensures you receive personalized nursing care that adapts to your changing health needs, giving you greater confidence and peace of mind throughout your NDIS journey.
