Specialist Nursing Services

RDNS provide specialist nursing services in the following areas:

Continence                  ...to top of page

Continence Nurse Advisors play a pivotal role in breaking down the barriers of the myth that ‘nothing can be done’ by their expertise in assessing and addressing the symptoms and resultant consequences associated with bladder and bowel problems.

The following services are availble from RDNS

  • Comprehensive health and continence assessment
  • Client and carer education
  • Pelvic floor muscle exercise programs
  • Bladder retraining programs
  • Nocturia assessment and management 
  • Toileting programs
  • Bowel regulation programs
  • Equipment/aids
  • Catheter management
  • Review of lifestyle, referral for appropriate management where needed
  • Environmental assessment, referral for modifications where needed
  • Mobility assessment, referral to  physiotherapy services, equipment agencies
  • Medication assessment
  • Facilitating access to trial products
  • Equipment funding schemes and eligibility criteria
  • Specialist counselling, consultation and support

 

Diabetes                 ...to top of page

Diabetes remains a health priority, as highlighted in the Department of Human Services publication, Strategic Plan for Diabetes in South Australia, 1999.

The Diabetes Clearing House examined the impact of diabetes in South Australia from an epidemiological perspective and released two most valuable publications, 'The Overview' and 'Evidence'.  Both documents are well placed in striving for the provision of excellent services in the future for people with diabetes. 

RDNS is contributing and participating in the local implementation of strategies in the following areas:

  • Improved coordination and collaboration between agencies, in order to achieve desirable health outcomes for people with diabetes. 
  • Promotion of an effective, systematic and comprehensive model of diabetes care in the respective communities, in consultation with local diabetes consumer groups.

Participation in local collaborative community based diabetes activities and projects include:

  • Western Diabetes Health Promotion Pathway
  • Northern Diabetes Steering Group
  • Diabetes Project in the South
  • Consumer Support Groups in Western and Northern Regions

A partnership was established with the Elders Group, Tauondi College, Adult Aboriginal Education & Training, Port Adelaide, which led to the provision of health promotion activities, education and clinical assessment, by RDNS clinic staff and CNC Diabetes. Improved health outcomes for participants of this group are continually being observed.

A client-held diabetes record and information booklet will be designed and produced by the Elders Group and RDNS. The aim is to enhance communication among clients and other health care providers.

Children and Diabetes:
The development of a Diabetes Planning and Support Guide for Education and Childcare Services, was funded by The Department of Education and Further Training (DETE) and produced in collaboration with the Women's and Children's Hospital.

The aim of this project is to ensure the provision of a safe school environment, for children with diabetes who will be supported and assisted by informed school personnel and the introduction of appropriate health care plans.  

RDNS CNC Diabetes presented the Diabetes Planning and Support Guide for Education and Childcare Services at the National Diabetes Conference in September 2002.

Research:
In collaboration with the RDNS Research Unit a $5000 Research Grant was secured to explore transitional issues for children with diabetes entering adult centred diabetes services.

This research will be supported by the Lyell McEwin Hospital and the Women's and Children's Hospital Diabetes Unit and aims to ensure that young people with diabetes have access to and are supported by appropriate services in their respective communities.

Disabilities                 ...to top of page

The RDNS Disabilities portfolio was established in 1990 and the team currently consists of 3 Clinical nurse Consultants, Disabilities and one Competency Assessor CNC.  The team is managed by the Director of Special programs, Paul Phillips, and the program is specifically funded by the Client Services Office (formerly the DSO). The team is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities receive the health support they require to be able to develop and maintain their links and supports in the community.

The CNC Disabilities are based at the Clarence Gardens, Golden Grove and Beverley offices.  Each CNC provides health support to people with severe and multiple disabilities and Level 3 health needs residing in community homes managed by the Intellectual Disability services Council (IDSC), Leveda Inc and Centacare Disability Services.

Competency based training and assessment is provided to the careworkers of the above agencies using standardised documentation and competency checklists.  The CNC’s also provide support to a number of people with disabilities and their families living in their own homes as well as being available in a consultancy role for RDNS round nurses. 

The Competency Assessor CNC is Siow-Ming Wong. She is based at the Clarence Gardens office and provides education and competency based training to careworkers from agencies who receive DSO/CSTDA funding. Siow-Ming provides

  • Development of comprehensive health plans
  • Provision of on the job careworker training in relation to specific health care requirements
  • Competency based assessment of careworkers
  • Reports on careworker education and competency achieved to service provider agency
  • Training for agencies for Level 2 clients (th is is fee for service)

Stewart Pope 

CNC Disabilities based at Clarence Gardens   

Joe Chung 

CNC Disabilities based at Golden Grove

Elaine Tooke 

CNC Disabilities based at Beverley

HIV/AIDS                 ...to top of page

The aim of the service is to enable clients to remain in their own homes whilst maximising their level of independence.

Ann Purcell and Dean Gloede are the RDNS HIV/AIDS Coordinators. They are located in the Northern Division of RDNS but cover the entire metropolitan area and sometimes beyond. The majority of people who are HIV positive are seen by the HIV/AIDS Coordinators, who maintain a caseload.They provide a specialist nursing service for clients with HIV/AIDS, including:

  • Working closely with other organisations and individuals within the HIV/AIDS arena in order to facilitate comprehensive and coordinated health care. These include hospitals, medical practitioners, allied health professionals, hospices and community agencies such as ACSA, ADAC, PLC and PLWHA (SA).
  • Providing a service at Cheltenham Place, the Intermediate Care Facility.
  • Providing HIV/AIDS education to clients, carers, nurses and nursing services, and other allied health professionals statewide. The following services are available both in people’s homes and at Cheltenham Place:
  • Assessment, Consultation and Support
  • Initial assessment
  • Regular contact through home visits
  • Client support
  • Carer/partner/family support
  • Referral to other agencies
  • Assessment for Cheltenham Place

24 hour access to direct nursing care is available and includes:

  • ongoing assessment assistance with medication
  • intravenous therapy
  • pain management
  • supplemental feeding
  • palliative nursing care

 

Dementia and Mental Health                 ...to top of page

The following services are available both at nursing centres and in people’s homes:

  • Direct or telephone consultation
  • Assessment
  • Management support and advice
  • Direct service provision
  • Assistance with referral to other agencies
  • Formal and informal education
  • Ongoing support in collaboration with TL
  • Resources and information

We are also working closely with other organisations and individuals within the mental health arena in order to facilitate comprehensive and coordinated health care. These include regional health management, community and hospitals services, medical practitioners.

Palliative Care                 ...to top of page

RDNS provides specialist palliative care services to clients of any age within the Adelaide metropolitan region. On a monthly basis, the service admits approximately 153 palliative care clients across the Northern and Southern Public programs and Focus Healthcare divisions. 78% of these admissions are clients with a cancer diagnoses whilst 22% present to the service with non-cancer diagnoses such as neurological conditions or end stage cardiac and respiratory failure.

The organisation employs Specialist Palliative Care staff that include two Clinical Nurse Consultants and nine Clinical Nurses in both full-time and part-time positions. These staff provide expert clinical advice and consultancy for RDNS/Focus Health Care field staff. All staff work primarily in collaboration and association with local General Practitioners, allied health professionals, regional Palliative Care services in the Southern, Central, Western and Northern regions of Adelaide, as well as Oncology and Radiation Specialists to provide quality care to clients and their families.

Referrals to our service can be made by any person by ringing RDNS Direct on 1300 364 264. Clients referred by a non-medical source must have their palliation status confirmed by either their medical practitioner or specialist service provider.

RDNS Palliative Care Contacts:

Di Roughton:             Northern Clinical Nurse Consultant
                                708 Port Rd.,
                                Beverley
                                Ph: 1300 364 264

Cathy Bennett:          Southern Clinical Nurse Consultant
                                913 South Road.,
                                Clarence Gardens
                                Ph: 1300 364 264

 

Wound Management                 ...to top of page

About 50% of persons referred to RDNS require wound management. The most common types of wounds managed by RDNS nurses are leg ulcers and pressure ulcers. However, RDNS manages many types of wounds. RDNS utilises the latest techniques and products for treatment of wounds.

The RDNS CNC Advanced Wound Specialist specialises in wound management and is involved in:

  • Delivery of clinical care to persons with complex wounds;
  • Provision of assistance to nurses to manage persons with wounds;
  • Development of policies, resources and education programs;
  • Management of wound management service provision in RDNS;
  • Delivery of education to nurses within and external to RDNS;
  • Contribution to several publications and books;
  • Presentation at local and national conferences and seminars, and
  • An active role in local and national wound management committees.

Infection Control in Home and Community Care Settings                 ...to top of page

The principles of infection control remain the same whether in an acute or home care setting and care providers should follow good infection control practices .

Working in the home care environment is a challenge where nurses have to adapt the principles of infection control in a setting controlled by clients and carers.

RDNS Clinical Nurse Consultant – Infection Control can help you by providing clients, carers and health care workers with advice, education and support.

If you would like to speak with our expert in Infection Control, please contact 1300 364 264 or email catherine.@zeevaarder.org.au

To make a referral simply telephone 1300 363 262
For information on other services visit our web site: www.rdns.org.au