District Nursing

The single point of referral team will accept GP referrals for patients who are not already on the District Nurse Caseload. Referrals for patients that are on the District Nurse Caseload need to be faxed directly to the relevant District Nurse Base.

Bases are allocated based on geographical location.

Service provided

Management of a long term conditions
Post operative/traumatic/chronic wound management
Continuing care assessment
End of life care / continuing care assessment
Specialist nursing equipment for patients with nursing needs
Diagnostic tests/screening
Ear irrigation
IV therapy/management
Patient education/health promotion, e.g. teaching self administration of Insulin
Medicines management, e.g. patient compliance; Injectable medication
Nutritional monitoring/management e.g. malnutrition, Gastrostomy
Continence management e.g. urethral/supra pubic catheter, bowel management

Criteria

This service is for patients aged 18 years and upwards that meet criteria 1 and either criteria 2 or 3:

1. Patient MUST be registered with a Croydon GP (permanent/temporary)

2. The patient’s care need/s MUST be health related and require short term nursing intervention e.g. Post operative care/wound management

3. The patient is housebound and has nursing needs

Exclude:

Under 18
Where nursing care can not be given safely within the patients’ home environment or where the safety of the nurse or patient is compromised

Referral Process

Please use the form on the right. These should only be used for ‘new’ referrals.

The following criteria apply to ‘new’ referrals.

The patient is not currently receiving community nursing services
The patient was previously known to the service but has been discharged
All patients known to the service that are discharged from e.g. an acute care setting, hospice or respite placement where the inpatient stay has been 48 hours and over, the patient’s condition has deteriorated or their care/nursing needs have significantly changed
All patients where a one off visit is being requested for e.g. venepuncture, specialist equipment e.g. pressure relieving or a specific procedure

If your patient fits these criteria please fax the fully completed referral form to:
Monday-Sunday (Inc Bank Holidays) 8.30-16.30 fax to: 0208 239 1220

Out of hours 17:00 – 07.00, including bank holidays and weekends, fax to 020 8401 3646

If your patient does not fit the above criteria then a phonecall should be made to the community nursing base.