Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) visits veterans (including war widows/widowers) at home to provide general and specialised community nursing and personal care.
What does it cost?
RDNS is contracted by Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to provide home nursing care at no cost to veterans (or war widows or widowers) who are eligible under the DVA Community Nursing Program.
RDNS can still provide nursing care to non-eligible veterans, however a fee will apply.
Eligibility
RDNS will assess your eligibility to receive nursing and personal care in the home.
Eligibility depends on the type of Repatriation Health Card (gold or white card) you have, your form of residence and any other nursing services or health programs you may be receiving.
What sort of care does RDNS provide?
RDNS will visit you at home to assess your needs and determine the care you require. Care may include: assistance with personal care, wound care, diabetes, palliative care and continence. RDNS will assist you to remain as independent as possible in your own home. For more information about services RDNS provides click here.
How do I get RDNS to visit me at home?
Anyone can be referred to RDNS, and we accept referrals from any source – our telephone lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can phone us yourself, or be referred by a family member or carer. RDNS will then obtain a DVA-required written referral for you from your doctor or another DVA-authorised person.
For clients and general enquiries please telephone 1300 33 44 55.
Doctors, hospital discharge planners and a Veterans’ Home Care (VHC) assessment agency can also refer a veteran to RDNS. Our Registered Nurses conduct comprehensive assessments and care in the veteran's home and provide written feedback and regular contact to the veteran’s general practitioner.
For Health Professionals please telephone 1300 NURSING (1300 6877464).
Useful links:
If you need support with domestic assistance, safety-related home, garden services or respite care, please contact Veterans' Home Care on 1300 550 450.
For other information relating to the Department of Veterans' Affairs visit www.dva.gov.au or phone 13 32 54.