District Nursing

District Nurses work in partnership with General Practitoners (GPs), Hospitals, Health Visitors, Specialist Nurses and Social Services to deliver skilled patient-focused nursing care and support to individuals and their carers in a variety of non-hospital settings including patients’ homes, GP surgeries and residential homes.

District Nurses have traditionally offered their expertise in wound and leg ulcer management, palliative care and rehabilitation to patients with specific nursing needs. Their role is now expanding to develop their prescribing and physical assessment skills and the health education and management of patients living with chronic diseases in the community who are unable to attend their GP practice.

New initiatives such as intravenous therapies within the home are enabling patients to be discharged early from hospital and are also preventing unnecessary hospital admission.

District nurses are committed to a future in which patients are not only helped through periods of ill health, but are also given advice and support to enable them to maintain and improve their general health and well being.


Who can access the service?

Everyone over the age of 18 years.


How do I access the service?

You will normally be referred to our service by a GP or healthcare professional.


Where does the service take place?

In patients’ homes.


Availability of service

District Nurse ServiceHours of ServiceEvening / Out of hours
BexhillMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 5.00pmEvening Service
Eastbourne - CentralMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 4.30pmEvening Service
Eastbourne - NorthMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 4.30pmEvening Service
Eastbourne - WestMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 4.30pmEvening Service
HastingsMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 5.00pmEvening Service
Rural RotherMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 5.00pmEvening Service
St. Leonards-on-SeaMonday to Sunday 8.00am – 5.00pmEvening Service

For information about District Nursing in Crowborough, Havens, Lewes and Uckfield, please visit the Sussex Community website

Community Nursing at ESHT

Nursing in the community