Community Services

Most healthcare happens in the places we work and play, live and love—not in hospitals. An increasing number of health services support people in their own environments, where they are close to the things that help them manage their health. This can mean support for wellbeing, support during an acute episode or gradual deterioration, support on discharge from hospital, or support through the final stages of life. The aim is to promote independence and enable people to have more control over their own health.

Many agencies can be involved in community based care and the District Health Board contracts with many of these. There is a single point of entry to DHB funded community services through FOCUS. FOCUS works with the Community Nursing and Health Service to assesses your referral and ensures it reaches the right services to meet your needs.

Some of the available services are listed below.

Community Nursing and Health service

A professional nursing and short term home support service caring for people at home to restore, improve or maintain their health status.

Services include (but are not limited to):

• General nursing
• Wound care—acute and chronic
• Ostomy/continence management
• Oxygen service
• CAPD (peritoneal dialysis) management
• Intravenous therapy
• Oncology and palliative care
• District physiotherapy
• Home-based physio for people unable to access hospital based services

Services include:
• Education about your condition and self care
• Treatment of medical, surgical and orthopaedic conditions
• Loan of equipment and mobility aid
• Short term home help for those recovering from illness
• Outlying services
  • There is a Community Nursing base in Greytown for the South Wairarapa.
  • Rural clinics are held twice a week at Tinui and Riversdale
  • There are several solo-practice Rural Nurses in geographically isolated settlements.

Nurse Educators

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Respiratory

These nurses work in close liaison with your health provider team, relevant support groups, and societies (eg: Asthma and Diabetes Societies, Heart Foundation)

The nurses educate and support individuals, family members, significant others and groups about awareness, self-care and taking control of their health.

Occupational Therapy

Assessment and treatment through activity. Needs identified and services offered to support your independence and safety.

• Pre- and post-hospital discharge visits at home for assessment
• Provision of adaptive equipment and wheelchairs
• Consultation for essential housing modifications
• Outpatient treatment services

Dietetics

Professional dietetic advice, support and education.

• Support and guidance to enable clients to make appropriate food choices based on their needs.
• While this is primarily an inpatient service, general practitioners can refer clients with a specific need.

Neurodevelopmental Therapy

A home-based developmental therapy service for children under five years old who have a diagnosed disability, general developmental delay and/or are at risk of possible developmental problems.

• Assessment and implementation of home based therapy programme
• Assessment and provision of disability equipment
• Liaison with other people and agencies working with the children

Social Work

Assistance for individuals, families/whanau and groups in the community who have personal or social problems related to illness, health or disability.

• Social and psychosocial assessments
• Access to information and advice on health and disability services and resources
• Support with care and service planning after leaving hospital
• Support for people caring for others
• Child/tamariki and disability health support and advocacy
• Counselling for individuals and families
• Pregnancy counselling
• Bereavement support and counselling
• The child protection coordinator trains staff and advises on child healthcare and protection issues
• Meals on Wheels—short term

Speech Language Therapy

Help with communication and swallowing disorders.

• Assessment and treatment of disorders of language, voice, speech
• Eating and swallowing assessment and management
• It links with other organizations and professionals
• Information for the patient, family and caregiver concerning the communication and swallowing problem
• In & outpatient service