Community nurses and health visitors
If you need nursing care or support at home, a community nurse or health visitor could help.
Community nurses
Community nurses are registered nurses from various branches of nursing including district nurses, community children’s, learning disability, mental health and other specialist nursing services, who deliver a broad range of care, treatment and support to patients tailored to their assessed needs, within their own communities.
They support individuals to manage ill health, disability and long-term conditions
As part of wider multi-disciplinary teams, community nurses work with other health and social care professionals, delivering care across a range of settings, including patients’ homes and other community-based environments such as community clinics or in GP surgeries.
Community nurses look after people whose health may be particularly vulnerable, such as children and people who:
- are older
- have learning disabilities
- have mental health conditions
- are living with long-term conditions, such as heart failure or diabetes
Community nurses can:
- offer health care at home, for example, changing dressings or giving injections
- help you get any home nursing aids and equipment you need
- offer help and advice on a wide range of health issues
- teach families and carers basic care-giving skills
Community nurses work closely with General Practitioners (GPs), local social services and hospitals. Your GP can refer you to a community nursing service.
If you are leaving hospital, the hospital may arrange for a community nurse to visit you regularly as part of your 'continuing care' arrangements.
Health visitors
Health visitors are registered nurses or midwives, who have completed additional post-registration training in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN).
They work primarily with children from birth to four years of age and their and families, delivering the Healthy Child Healthy Future pre-school child health promotion programme.
They offer a holistic, family-centred service through a programme of core contacts that begins during pregnancy and continues until the child reaches four years old.
Health visitors also offer enhanced support to families and children who have additional health, developmental, or social care needs.
Most contacts will take place in the family home, within the child’s everyday environment. Some appointments may take place in community clinics or GP practices.
Health Visitors offer practical support and advice to you and your baby or young child on everyday issues, such as:
- breastfeeding
- bottlefeeding
- feeding and nutrition
- your child’s growth and development
- issues with feeding, such as reflux and colic
- allergies
- safe sleep - prevention of Sudden Unexplained Death in Infant (SUDI / Cot Death)
- childhood immunisations
- sleep problems
- behavioural issues
- home safety advice
- weaning
- teething
- play, development and stimulation
- dental health
- managing minor illnesses
Health visitors can also support your health and wellbeing as a parent, by:
- monitoring for signs of post-natal depression
- advising on benefits including Sure Start Maternity Grant and Healthy Start
- signposting to local support networks, such as mother and toddler groups and breastfeeding support
- advising on childcare options
- supporting individuals experiencing family relationship issues including domestic abuse and safeguarding concerns
Every family with a child under five years of age will be assigned a health visitor.
If you are not sure who your health visitor is, phone your GP practice to ask.