Community nursing is Andrea’s pride and joy

Andrea Broughton’s pride shines through when she speaks about her role in community nursing.

Working as a chronic and complex community nurse, Andrea visits people in their homes to dress complex wounds, deal with continence issues and provide ongoing support for people with chronic diseases such as serious respiratory illnesses.

Andrea spends at least five hours a day in her car travelling to Whalan, Tregear and Emerton to provide care to her patients, many of whom are house bound. 

“Treating patients at their homes is the alternative to treating patients in a hospital outpatient clinic,” Andrea said.

“Community nursing is very different to working in a hospital and it’s a specialised role.

“I spend more time speaking with families in their homes and get a better understanding of their health needs.

“I love meeting people. That’s why I chose to work in community nursing. I become part of the community.”

The graduate nurse completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Western Sydney University in April this year and works with a close-knit team of nurses at Mount Druitt Community Health Centre, who all pitch in and help each other.

“Community nursing takes a special person who can manage their time well,” Andrea said.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is this week commemorating the role of community nurses, their importance and dedication during Nursing in the Community Week from 14-20 September.

These highly-skilled professionals provide a range of services including Child and Family and Chronic and Complex services to clients, carers and families to improve their health either at home, a community health centre or other community setting.

For anyone wanting to access community nursing through Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Community Health Centre’s, please follow the below instructions.  A GP or hospital referral is not required and eligibility applies:

To refer people aged under 65 years:

Please forward all referrals to the Integrated & Community Health Central Referral Service on 1800 600 681.

To refer people aged over 65 years:

Please forward all referrals to the Commonwealth ‘My Aged Care’ service online at www.myagedcare.gov.au/referral or via telephone on 1800 200 422.

To find your nearest WSLHD Community Health Services, click here.

To view available jobs for Western Sydney Local Health District, click here.