WHAT IS DISTRICT NURSING?
District Nursing is an evolving service which is highly responsive to changing needs and the challenges of providing high quality individualised care and services within the community setting. While District Nursing has a long history which predates the National Health Service, current debates in health care policy and practice could be seen as questioning the fundamental nature of District Nursing practice. While there maybe room for debate around the title of "District Nurse", Boran and Clarridge (2005 p145) state "there can be no doubt regarding the future role. There exists a clear vision and a determination that the district nurse of the future shall deliver a flexible, high quality and forward thinking service that works in partnership with diverse communities to place the patient at the centre of care delivery".
District Nurses are involved in the care and care planning for individuals and carers with a range of needs including the management of those with complex care needs. Further to holistic needs assessment and the skilled care of individuals , District Nurses undertake service review and health needs assessment witht the aim of coordinadting or influencing the development of services. With good communication and advocacy skills, District Nurses are able to act or speak on behalf of those individuals who are least able to become involved in influencing service delivery (the house bound). The roots of District Nursing as one of the first of the caring professions, have beenretained in order to provide high quality, hollistic care of individuals in the community setting.