Foundation History
More than 100 years of caring.
In 1894 a group of gifted people were appalled by the level of suffering due to illness and disease in the suburbs of Adelaide, began an experimental nursing service. Originally called the District Trained Nursing Service, the small organisation was supported for many years by donations, bequests and volunteer support.
Known today as the Royal District Nursing Service of South Australia, RDNS is the largest provider of home nursing in the state, and we are growing daily.
Our team of 300 nurses is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making more than 450,000 home visits a year. Our services are available to everyone, from the very young to the very old. Nursing services can be provided in your own home or in the community, whether that be general care or specialist nursing.
In 2004, the Royal District Nursing Service is celebrating their 110th Anniversary of caring for people in the South Australian Community. We are very proud of our rich history and the significant role that RDNS has played to the health and well being of the residents of Adelaide. RDNS has achieved so many milestones in its 110 years of existence.
RDNS is a not-for-profit, non-government, charitable organisation. Although we receive government funding, we also rely on a modest fee for our service and, of course, your donations. The ageing population and the trend in hospitals towards discharging people earlier has led to an increased need for our services. You can help us enormously to continue our person-to-person care.
Donations enable us to continue the specialist care for which we are renowned: 
- Palliative care of people with a terminal illness who are dying at home. Donations are used to purchase syringe driver machines that provide pain relief.
- Wound care of ulcers and wounds after surgery. These days people are sent home with wounds that used to be managed in a hospital. Donations are used to purchase dressings.
- Disability care supporting those who have a disability and are living in the community.
- Diabetes care; education and nursing care. Donations are used to buy glucose machines for testing blood
- Mental health care giving practical assistance and hope to those living with a mental illness in our community.
- Nursing Health Centres located throughout metropolitan Adelaide provide care to people who are able to attend.
- HIV/AIDS care including counselling, support and nursing care to carers and clients.
- Continence care including education, practical advice and support to anyone with bowel or bladder problems
For information on other services visit our web site: www.rdns.org.au
