Our services
District Nursing
About the service
Our District Nursing teams provide high quality, appropriate and timely nursing care, based on your needs, at home or in community settings like a local clinic and support with self care. Our services include:
- nursing procedures – like wound dressing or giving injections
- giving support, advice and information on health care, health issues, long-term conditions and preventing ill health
- teaching self-care – working with you to enable you to care for yourself or with your family members so they know how to care for you
- palliative and end of life care – supporting you and your family throughout this time and to achieve a peaceful and dignified death.
Our District Nursing service frequently acts in a co-ordination role with a variety of different agencies and professional groups.
How to access
Your GP will be able to refer you to our District Nursing service.
How to find us
We support you in your own home or in clinics across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.
Contact
We have a contact number that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This single point of access, enables you to contact your District Nursing team on 01274 221221.
We endeavour to prioritise calls that require an urgent response, or for people who are at the end of their life, their family or carers.
Our nursing teams in Bradford work from 8.00am to 4.30pm and in Airedale from 8.00am to 8.00pm. We also have an out of hours service from 5.00pm to 8.00am.
Use the tabs below to explore this section further.
What to expect
Referral
Once a referral is made, this will be assessed by a clinician and depending on your needs, we will allocate the most appropriate member of our team to your care. This may or may not result in a visit.
If you have been referred for a wound clinic appointment you can find appointment information together with other wound care information on our Wound care tab.
Assessment
We assess how best to meet your needs – this could be care from our friendly, experienced clinicians or support to self manage your care. Our team will work with you to understand your health requirements and support you to remain as independent as possible.
After your assessment
Your Community nurse will discuss a plan of care with you and how your care might be delivered, for example in a clinic setting rather than your own home .
Wound care
Our District Nursing service works closely with our Tissue Viability Service to support patients with complex or hard to heal wounds and associated diseases including pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, malignant wounds, lymphoedema or chronic oedema. Their Well Leg Service also offers checks, advice and support after a leg ulcer has healed so patients can keep their legs healthy and prevent ulcers coming back.
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Why have I been offered a clinic appointment?
We assessed your needs and, using NHS criteria, you are not classed as housebound. Community nurses visit people at home when they cannot safely leave home. For you, clinic care is the safest and quickest way to help.
Care in a clinic can be better than care at home because clinics have specialist equipment that keeps you and our staff safe and comfortable, reducing the risk of injury.
You can book clinic appointments to fit around your needs at a time that is convenient for you.
What help can I get to attend?
Tell us what would make it easier. We can offer reasonable adjustments, for example:
- a longer or quieter appointment time
- an accessible room and nearby parking
- having a carer or friend with you
- information in large print or another language
- an interpreter or BSL support
- waiting in your car until we call you in.
If you need any other adjustments, please let us know when booking.
Transport ideas
- Family or friends may be able to help.
- If you have a Blue Badge, please bring it for parking.
- Taxis, private cars, mobility scooters, the bus, or access bus may also be options.
How can I get the most out of my appointment?
Please try to arrive in good time for your appointment. If you arrive late, it may not be possible to see you.
If you are unable to attend your appointment please let us know so we can arrange a different time for you to come to clinic.
The number to call is 01274 256131
If you do not attend your appointment and do not let us know that you will not be coming, we will try to contact you by telephone to arrange a different appointment time. If we cannot contact you, and you do not telephone us within a week of not attending, you will be discharged from the service.
What if I’m still worried about attending?
Please tell us. We’ll work with you to find a plan.
If your health worsens (for example: fever, severe pain, shortness of breath), contact your GP, NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
How is the decision recorded?
We record the assessment and any adjustments agreed. If you decline a clinic appointment, we note this and provide you with safety advice.
How can I give feedback or challenge the decision?
You can contact our Patient Advice and Complaints Team:
- Phone: 01274 251440
- Email: advice.complaints@bdct.nhs.uk
Accessibility
If this information is needed in another language, please select the appropriate language using the button at the top right of this website.
Self care resources
Where to get advice and help
- Your pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor.
- Your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to.
- NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do.
Using prescribed moisturising creams safely
Moisturising creams which contain paraffin are regularly prescribed but can pose a real fire hazard if not used correctly, or if they are transferred to clothing, bedclothes, bed linen and furniture like sofas and easy chairs. Read this leaflet on the Safe use of paraffin- based moisturising creams like Vaseline
Other useful resources
For professionals
Interested in a career in community nursing?
If you’re interested in a career in community nursing this video, produced in partnership by Health Education England and The Queen’s Nursing Institute, will tell you about the wide range of vital work that district nurses do with patients in the community every day. It highlights the different roles, where they work, and the complexities of care provided.
For details on vacancies see our job opportunities.