Somerset’s District Nursing Service

Healthwatch Somerset gathered feedback about Somerset District Nursing Service to help identify what people valued about the service and what could be improved. Findings from the report were shared with the District Nursing Service, service providers and Somerset CCG.

The Somerset NHS long-term plan for health and social services includes the ongoing development of neighbourhood community services. Somerset District Nursing Service provides high quality nursing care to people who are housebound living in their own homes and in residential homes.  From February to April 2021, Healthwatch Somerset gathered feedback from people who have recently used the District Nursing Service to help identify areas of good practice to support service development and improvement.

Healthwatch Somerset found that the service is highly valued, with 93% of people rating it as ‘very good’. Most people would welcome evening and weekend visits, and people were keen to see appointment time slots and improvements to continuity of care. Many people were cautious about the introduction of digital consultations.

The team have shared the findings with the District Nursing Service and Somerset NHS commissioners and service providers, and will continue to work with them to make sure that patient and carer feedback is used to guide service development.​

Read the report