Empowering district nurses

Healthcare provision sits within a constantly moving world where the demographics, culture and epidemiology of a society impact upon care provision and delivery. The landscape of healthcare is on the cusp of further change where the nursing profession will need to adapt to new ways of being.

Developments in pharmaceutical, information and communication technology have instigated a further shift in care delivery away from hospitals into local communities. Primary care was once viewed as the gatekeeper to secondary care; now it is becoming an important, powerful main care provider.

Primary care is where most care will begin and end, with diagnostic technology and new drugs replacing some surgery; if surgery is required it may take place locally. Improved community management of long-term conditions and fewer acute exacerbations mean patients will attend hospitals less.