A study of the recipients of district nursing services in Christchurch

This paper reports on a study of the patients and the services provided by the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association in Christchurch. The 1149 recipients were predominantly elderly, 80.8% being over 65, 68.8% female and long term patients with musculoskeletal disorders comprising more than one-third of the principal diagnoses. Services were provided to 26 per 1000 of the elderly population, which is close to suggested guidelines. This rate increased markedly with age. Ten percent of patients utilised 40% of the nursing time. They may be considered as borderline cases for whom community care with community support services was an acceptable and efficient alternative to long term hospital care.