The benefits of community nursing for NDIS participants

Supporting health and wellbeing at home

For people living with disability and ongoing health needs, receiving appropriate care can make everyday life more manageable. Community nursing provides nursing support in a person's home or community setting, where clinically appropriate and available.

For eligible NDIS participants, community nursing may form part of a broader support arrangement designed to address disability-related needs and help maintain health, safety and wellbeing.

The right support can also help participants and their support networks feel more confident about managing everyday care requirements.

What is community nursing?

Community nursing involves nursing services delivered outside a traditional hospital environment. Depending on the person's needs and the service provided, this may include clinical assessments, health monitoring, assistance with specific care routines and support with managing complex health requirements.

For NDIS participants, the availability and funding of nursing supports depend on individual circumstances, the relationship between the support and the person's disability, and applicable NDIS funding rules.

Community nursing does not replace all medical services. Participants may still need to see their GP, specialists or other healthcare professionals for diagnosis, treatment and ongoing medical management.

Supporting people in familiar surroundings

Receiving appropriate nursing support at home can help people manage aspects of their care in a familiar environment.

For some participants, familiar surroundings may make care routines easier to incorporate into daily life. Nursing support can also be coordinated with other relevant supports where appropriate.

The type and frequency of nursing assistance should be determined by the participant's needs and the clinical requirements of their care.

Helping manage ongoing health needs

Some people living with disability require assistance with ongoing or complex health conditions. Depending on the individual's requirements and the nurse's scope of practice, community nursing may help with activities such as:

• Monitoring relevant health indicators.

• Supporting prescribed care routines.

• Providing nursing care for eligible disability-related health needs.

• Identifying changes that may require further clinical assessment.

• Communicating relevant care information with the participant and authorised members of their care team.

Nursing support should always be delivered by appropriately qualified professionals, within their scope of practice and in accordance with relevant clinical guidance.

If a participant experiences an urgent or life-threatening medical emergency, they should seek emergency medical assistance rather than relying on a scheduled community nursing visit.

Taking a person-centred approach to care

Clinical expertise is important, but effective support also needs to respect the individual receiving care.

A person-centred approach considers the participant's preferences, communication needs, cultural background, routines and personal goals.

For example, a participant may prefer care at a particular time of day or need information explained in a specific way. Taking these preferences into account can help make care more respectful and easier to understand.

Participants should be involved in decisions about their care wherever possible, with appropriate consideration given to consent, privacy and individual decision-making arrangements.

Communication between the care team

Community nursing may involve communication with other healthcare professionals, family members, support workers or coordinators, subject to the participant's consent and applicable privacy requirements.

Clear communication can help relevant people understand care instructions, recognise changes in support needs and coordinate appropriate follow-up.

Where several services are involved, it is important to clarify responsibilities and ensure that information is shared appropriately.

Choosing a community nursing provider

When considering community nursing, ask about staff qualifications, experience with your requirements, clinical governance, availability and how the provider manages changes in health needs.

You should also understand what the service includes, how appointments are arranged and how concerns can be raised.

If you receive NDIS funding, confirm whether the proposed support is appropriate for your circumstances and whether it can be funded under the applicable NDIS rules.

Explore community nursing with Health On Call

At Health On Call, we understand that health support needs to consider the whole person, not just a clinical task.

Our focus is on providing personalised support that respects participants' dignity, preferences and individual circumstances.

If you or someone you support may benefit from community nursing, contact Health On Call to discuss your needs and find out whether our services may be suitable.

The right care starts with understanding the person.