The Public Health Nursing Service is a generalist service underpinned by the principles and values of primary care and public health, including those of equity and accountability.
The Service is client-focussed, needs assessed and quality driven.
The person-centred, holistic approach of the Public Health Nursing Service is based on client assessment using the Roper Logan Tierney model, and Orem's Self-care Intervention ethos.
High standards of evidence-based care are maintained through on-going professional development and are demonstrated by evaluation and clinical audit.
Public Health Nursing staff members work as part of multi-disciplinary primary care teams and are fully aware that effective communication and collaboration within these teams is integral to improving health outcomes for clients in the community.
The Service is committed to proactively developing community nursing in response to the changing health needs of society.
The Service is also committed to integrated working with acute and community hospitals in order to ensure a safe and seamless service.
The Public Health Nursing Service is delivered within a range of settings: in the home, health centres, schools and in a variety of community settings.
As pivotal members of the primary care team, Public Health Nursing staff work in collaboration and partnership with other members of the primary care team and also with acute / community hospital services, voluntary bodies and statutory and non-statutory agencies.
Care Plans, assessment tools and documentation templates have been designed for the assessment and monitoring of individual clients in order to support the delivery of nursing care.
The Public Health Nursing service provides services to: Antenatal and postnatal mothers Infants, preschool and school age children Adults and older persons Persons of all ages with a physical, sensory, and/or intellectual disability Clients with an acute, chronic or terminal illness Ethnic minority groups eg the Traveller Community, those seeking asylum in Ireland and clients with diverse cultural needs. In addition to working as a member of the Primary Care team, there may be opportunities for RGNs to work in the Community Intervention team, CDM Hub or the School Immunisation team.
The Community Intervention team provides a home nursing service within a defined geographical area 7 days a week.
The goal of the service is to facilitate early discharge, or avoid unnecessary hospital admission and maintain clients in their own home.
Treatments are delivered in the CIT clinic or the client's home.
Strong links have been developed with the acute services and primary care teams.
The service is evolving and growing as it seeks to support the HSE vision of a decisive shift to primary care by ensuring that the vast majority of patients and clients who require urgent or planned care are managed within primary and community based settings.
The School Immunisation team deliver the School vaccination programme to eligible children in all Primary and Secondary Schools across Cavan and Monaghan over the school academic year with additional catch up clinics held during school holidays as required.