Community Nursing

Continence Nurse

 

A continence nurse advisor is a registered nurse with extensive training in continence care. They are able to assess your condition and advise on its management and in some cases treatment. To prepare for an appointment with the continence nurse write down all the information you can recall helping to describe the problem. For example, record in a diary:

• all of your symptoms;
• how often they occur;
• at what time (during the day and night) they occur;
• factors that contribute towards the problem (e.g. types of food or drinks);;
• a list of medications you are currently taking;
• the amount and type of fluid consumed; and
• the type of diet generally consumed.

This will help the continence nurse assess what the problem may be. You may also like to jot down a few questions to ask the continence nurse. Examples of questions you should ask your health professional are:

• What is causing the incontinence?
• Could medications be causing it, or making it worse?
• Do I need to be examined?
• How can I fix it or better manage it?
• Will I need to undergo tests?
• Will I need surgery (which is usually considered as a last option)?
• Will medications fix it?
• Are there any other options in treating this problem?
• What complications might arise from this treatment?
• Should I see someone who specialises in this problem?
• If pads are being recommended, where can I get help to buy the continence pads and products?
• Are there any subsidy schemes to assist me with the cost of continence products?

Our Continence Nurse (Jill Smith) is available for appointments between 10.00am and 2.30pm every second Monday.

The current fee is $8.30 for Pension and Health Care Card Holders and $12.70 for non card holders. (NOTE, this fee is subject to change at the discretion of the Healthcare Service)

A referral is not necessary and appointments can be made by contacting the reception staff on (03) 55586049 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Chronic Disease Management

The Chronic Disease Independence Program (CDIP) is a new service for Timboon & District Healthcare Service. It has been designed to help the Healthcare Service, Timboon Medical Clinic and other community services to work together to provide improved care to people with chronic and complex conditions such as:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Chronic Heart Failure (CHF)
• Diabetes
• Chronic and Complex needs
• Psychosocial

Christie Berry is the new Chronic Disease Care Co-ordinator and has previously filled a similar role at South West Healthcare Camperdown Campus.

The Chronic Disease Independence Program (CDIP) is a free home based service for those who suffer a chronic disease. The program includes the undertaking of a thorough assessment of the client. This assessment aims to identify and create linkages with our other health services such as podiatry, diabetes education, dietitian, home and community care services, district nursing, occupational therapy and exercise classes.

The Chronic Disease Independence Program (CDIP) also provides medical education and uses wellbeing tools to encourage self management.

Sufferers of chronic illness who wish to be part of the Chronic Disease Independence Program (CDIP) can self refer, however general practitioners and other health workers are encouraged to refer as they are integral to the facilitation of changing health behaviours which are a vital key to the self management principles of the program.

Christie Berry can be contacted with regards to the Chronic Disease Independence Program (CDIP) by phoning (03) 55586041.

District (Home) Nurse

The District Nursing Service offers a wide range of care, treatment and education including:

• Hygiene and skin care
• Bowel and bladder management
• Dietary advice
• Falls prevention
• Palliative care
• Support and counselling
• Health promotion and education
• Technical nursing care eg:
  • Injections
  • Medication management
  • Diabetes management
  • Wound care
  • Pathology collection
  • Blood pressure monitoring

The District Nursing Service is an integral part of the total health care system and works closely with medical officers, hospitals, local government and other community service providers. We can make referrals to other appropriate services including:

• ACAT - assessment for permanent placement or respite
• Audiologist
• Benefit application / review
• Continence Nurse
• HACC Assessment Officer
• Counselling
• Diabetes Educator
• Dietitian
• HACC Services
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Speech Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Psych Services

District Nursing aims to:

• Provide high quality, professional nursing care
• Provide support for clients and their families / carers to remain at home for as long as possible
• Promote clients independence

A referral for the District Nursing Service can come from:

• Self
• Family/Carer
• Medical practitioner
• Health professional

Once a referral has been received a comprehensive assessment will be undertaken by the District Nurse. A care plan will then be developed in consultation with you, your family / carer.

Fees are set by the Department of Human Services and reviewed on an annual basis. The current fee structure will be provided upon admission to the District Nursing service.

For more information on the District Nursing Service please phone (03) 55586034.

Diabetes Education

The Diabetes Educator aims to provide the client with diabetes, their families or care givers with appropriate skills, knowledge and support to enable them to:

• Accept the diagnosis of diabetes
• Maintain optimal management of diabetes
• Accept responsibility for self management and monitoring
• Understand the need for monitoring / prevention of complications
• Enable them to incorporate the management of the diabetes into their lifestyle
• Understand the need for ongoing education and support from health professionals on regular basis
• Encourage family involvement and support in understanding and managing the diabetes

Maternity Outreach - Domiciliary Visits

Domiciliary care is the hospital service provided following discharge, to mothers and their babies who live within the catchment of the healthcare service. The service operates 7 days a week.

Under this program the hospital midwives will visit you in your home, to check on the progress of both mother and baby, perform neonatal screening, help and give advice in the familiar surroundings of your own home.

For more information on this service please speak to the midwife in the hospital where you give birth or contact the Midwife in charge at Timboon & District Healthcare Service on (03) 55586000.

Palliative Care Nursing

Our staff have knowledge, skills and expertise in the care of patients, their families, carers and communities, who are living with and dying from a terminal condition. Quality care at the end of life is realised when strong networks exist between specialist palliative care providers, primary generalist, primary specialist and support care providers and the community - working together to meet the needs of all people. Our staff have well developed networks which assist the patient and their family / carer when dealing with ensuring a quality of life.

Post Acute Care

What does the PAC Program do?

• Provides community-based services to assist people to recuperate after leaving hospital
• Aims to prevent hospital readmission.

What services does the PAC Program provide?

A range of community-based services based on the person's individually assessed needs. The most common services provided are:

• Community nursing
• Personal Care
• Home CareServices arranged by PAC are provided for the duration of the recuperative period and are generally of a short-term nature.

PAC works in conjunction with but does not replace the services provided by other programs, such as Home and Community Care (HACC), and Sub-acute Ambulatory Care Services (SACS).

Who can access the PAC Program?

• People being discharged from a public hospital (acute or sub-acute) including Department of Veterans Affairs and Transport Accident Commission clients
• People who have presented at a public hospital emergency department

What fees are charged by the PAC Program?

There are no fees charged. However people may be asked to pay for consumables such as wound dressings. How do you refer to the PAC Program? Referrals are made by hospital staff either via the PAC Service associated with their hospital or directly to the PAC Service that provides services in the area where the person lives. If you think you may be eligible for this service please speak to the nursing staff during your hospital admission.

Women's Health

At Timboon & District Healthcare Service we have a commitment to providing quality healthcare in order to meet the individual's needs. The women's health clinic provides an opportunity for women to learn about their health, so that they are more able to take responsibility for their own health & wellbeing. These clinics are provided by a registered nurse who has undergone additional specialised training in women's health & family planning. This is a FREE and confidential service which enables women to discuss issues that maybe of concern in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Where necessary the nurse will also provide assistance in accessing other services.

Services provided include:

• Pap Tests
• Instruction on Breast Self Examination
• Menstrual problems
• Contraceptive advice
• Advice on Sexually Transmitted
• Infections
• Continence advice
• Endometriosis
• Midlife Issues
• Pregnancy testing & Counselling
• Support & Referral on violence and abuse issues
• General health information and health checks