Community Nursing

 Palliative care is a family-centred model of care, meaning that family and carers can receive practical and emotional support. Early referral to palliative care can often prolong life and certainly supports a better quality of life. Community Palliative Care may assist with relief of pain and other symptoms, may provide equipment needed to aid care at home, support people to meet cultural obligations and support emotional, social and spiritual concerns.

Generally, the needs of the patient and their carers’ are higher at end of life and increased services and support are essential to ensure quality, coordinated care. Our Community Palliative Care Service offers a service 7 days a week, with on call available overnight and assists people to die with dignity in the environment of their own choice.

Available to people of all ages with any medical problem or disability who choose to be cared for in their home. The aim is to encourage clients to achieve a level of independence that will allow them to remain at home. Patients need to be referred by their GP or health facility and can be contacted on 5143 8155.

A wide range of services is offered including:

• Wound management
• Continence care – leg bag, SPC and IDC changes
• Leg ulcer management
• Diabetes management – in conjunction with diabetes educators
• Stomal care
• Medication management
• Observation monitoring (with parameters)
• Central Venous Catheters including PICCS & Ports
• Chemotherapy disconnects.

The nursing team are based at Sale in the Community Services Building and provide services across all areas of Wellington Shire, with the exception of Yarram, which is supported through Yarram District Health Service.

Position funded partly by Big Bloke’s BBQ working under the Prostate Foundations Framework to provide education and support to men and their families in any stage of the prostate cancer journey. This service is provided two days a week.

Our McGrath Breast Care Nurse brings patients and their families peace of mind through expert knowledge, personal care and genuine compassion. They can help a create a time in your life not defined by breast cancer. This service is provided three days a week.

• Inpatient and community management and education of patients with all types of diabetes
• Assistance with DKA management and education
• Insulin pump start ups
• Gestational diabetes Clinic
• Insulin Stabilisation Clinics

Offers a full service of continence assessment from paediatric to aged care, including:

• Flow Tests
• Assessments
• Trial of Voids
• Catheter changes – IDC & SPC
• Assistance with SWEP applications for funding for non-disposable continence products