RDNS 2009 Annual Report - Royal District Nursing Service

2.26 pmIt’s mid-afternoon and Alison attends her last visit. Gladys answersthe door of her warm and tidy apartment: “Oh, it’s the district nurse,”she says, seemingly surprised. But then, dementia has that effect,and Alison is quick to put her at ease before settling them bothat the small kitchen table. It is a very quiet affair, the quietest visitof the day. There is gentle small talk about Gladys’ family and animminent appointment at the hairdresser. Alison fills in the medicationchart, supplying Gladys with her tablets as she goes, which shedispenses from the locked-box which is kept in her home. Red andangular, it is the safe that houses medications that assists Gladysand so many of Alison’s clients to stay in their own homes.2.48 pmAs children enter the last few minutes of their school day,Alison is heading back to the RDNS site. Here she will completeher paperwork, send faxes and referrals to doctors, pharmaciesand others, all on behalf of her clients, before making her wayback to the sanctuary of her own home.3.52 pmAlison has completed her tasks, but by RDNS standards,the day is still young. As office workers across Melbournestir their last cups of tea for the afternoon, nurse Maxis checking the list of clients he is scheduled to see thisevening. In typical Melbourne fashion, the rain has givenup and a golden afternoon sun accompanies Max as hesets out on a shift which will take him well into the darkevening hours.10|Royal District Nursing Service – Annual Report 2009