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Information About

District Nursing





SCOPE OF PRACTICE

District nurses provide nursing care that allows people to remain in their own homes, maintain their independence, or have additional support after surgery. A district nurse will manage a team of nurses that may change dressings, give eye drops, provide catheter care and administer complex medication within a patients home as well as immunisations. As well as treatment a district nurse would offer advice and support with health concerns.

In England they are employed by community Primary Care Trusts on behalf of the NHS , whereas in Scotland they are employed by the health board and may be based at centralised Health Centre s or General Practice s. Qualified district nurses are regulated by the Nursing And Midwifery Council .


TRAINING

In the UK, training as a district nurse requires registration as a nurse in the adult branch, with at least five years post-qualifying experience of professional practice, who then take a (shortened) degree or postgraduate diploma. Courses are one year full-time or two years part-time.