The role of the district nurse is imperative in the care of patients in a district nursing team's caseload. Through the role of care manager, district nurses are accountable for the overall coordination of the care patients receive. Their responsibilities include caring for acutely ill patients, those with long-term conditions and people who require end-of-life care, in addition to health promotion and patient education. They provide personcentred, preventive and coordinated care, which reduces unnecessary hospital admissions and enables patients who have a range of complex needs to remain at or return to home. In this article, a case study is used to provide an overview of the role and accountability of the district nurse in the care of patients who have complex needs.

Victoria McCrory - Community Staff Nurse, Northern Ireland