Night Nursing
The Irish Cancer Society provides a Night Nursing service for critically ill patients with cancer in their home. This service is vital to relieve the difficulties that families experience during this time.
Night Nursing allows the patient to remain at home, thereby maintaining the continuity of care that the patient has experienced, surrounded by their family and supported by the home care team. Night Nurses sit with the patient through the night, providing nursing care, practical support and reassurance.
The Night Nursing service has now been extended to cover patients with cancer during stages other than terminal illness e.g. respite care. This allows the family time to rest and take a break from their very demanding caring role. Night nurses are provided free of charge for up to 10 nights.
Last year almost 1500 families throughout Ireland availed of the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service.
 Download the Night Nursing Service Information Leaflet
How the Night Nursing service operates:
A request must by made by a health care professional, such as family doctor, homecare team or public health nurse. The request is telephoned in through the Night Nursing Service administrators based in the Irish Cancer Society offices. The Irish Cancer Society then makes contact with a local night nurse, and arranges for he/she to visit the family.
Account of A night Nurse
“As a night nurse, I see the incredible energy of families while taking care of a sick family member. They feel secure during the day, as they know the Homecare team are at hand. However, in the evening and at night they worry that if something goes wrong that they wont be able to cope. As a night nurse, I sit with the patient throughout the night and take care of their needs....”
Account of a family that used the night nurse service
“When we took Anthony home from the hospital, we knew that he would require around the clock attention. What we didn’t anticipate was that even with our best efforts, sometimes we just couldn’t manage alone. ”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Night Nursing for?
The Irish Cancer Society provides the Night Nursing service to all patients with cancer. It is currently provided for up to 10 nights, usually between 11pm and 7am. The service is free of charge.
Additionally, morning, afternoon or evening nursing care can also be used instead of night care.
How do I apply for night nursing help?
The service is normally arranged by the patient’s own general practitioner (GP), Public Health Nurse, the Home Care team or palliative care service in the hospital if a patient is being discharged. These professionals have discretion as to when night nursing is best used at times other than the terminal stage of illness e.g. respite care.
Is there a charge for this service?
There is no charge for this night nursing service offered by the Irish Cancer Society. |
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