Backlash over claims district nurses are unable to visit covid-19 patients | nursing times

Community nursing leaders have condemned claims made on television as “totally untrue”, which suggested district nurses were unable to carry out patient visits due to the coronavirus

pandemic. In a story broadcast last night, ITV News reported that domiciliary carers were having to pick up work being left undone by district nurses and general practitioners. > “This 

report is frightening for people who rely on DN service and > does not reflect reality” >  > Crystal Oldman The Queen’s Nursing Institute and the Royal College of Nursing swiftly

turned to social media site Twitter to deny the reports. The broadcaster has since committed to “correcting” the story, according to the QNI. Among those who spoke out was Dr John Unsworth,

chair of the QNI, who asked where the “evidence” was that showed district nurses were unable to see patients. Addressing the ITV News journalist responsible for the story on Twitter, Dr

Unsworth said: “The QNI represents community nursing and this is totally untrue. Tens of thousands of patients are been cared for by district nurses 24/7.” The RCN District and Community

Nursing Forum said its members were “devastated by the report” and stressed that patient visits were not being missed. The RCN forum posted on Twitter: “Community teams are facing daily

challenges with inadequate PPE but are visiting every patient that requires a visit.” The report showed two care workers donning personal protective equipment to enter a woman’s home who had

tested positive for Covid-19. The journalist reported: “They wear this protection not just to do their jobs but our carers are also covering for others.” He added: “Nobody else will go into

homes like this one.” > “District and community nurses continue to do their vital work > through this pandemic” >  > Susan Masters One of the carers later claimed that she had

requested a visit from a district nurse due to concerns about a pressure ulcer developing but the nurse refused because she “didn’t want to risk it”. This afternoon, Dr Crystal Oldman, chief

executive of the QNI, said she had received confirmed from the broadcaster that the message would be “corrected”. She said: “District nurses are the backbone of the community and continue

to be the constant for people in their communities. This report is frightening for people who rely on DN service and does not reflect reality.” In light on the row, Susan Masters, RCN

director of nursing, policy and practice, issued a statement in support of community nurses and their “vital work” in helping to tackle Covid-19. She said: “Whilst much of the focus has been

on care in hospitals, district and community nurses are very much on the frontline of the national response to Covid-19. “District and community nurses continue to do their vital work

through this pandemic,” she added. “Many of their patients, whether displaying symptoms or not, rely on home visits and they can be reassured that these will continue even in these difficult

times.” _Nursing Times_ has contacted ITV News for comment.