Community Matrons are senior nurses with enhanced skills, that include independent prescribing, physical assessment and advanced care planning to facilitate and promote independence for patients in the community through proactive case management. Community Matrons work closely with patients and their carers using an integrated approach alongside GPs, allied healthcare professionals, social services, hospital and voluntary services to improve the management for people who have a long term condition or a complex range of conditions.
A Community Matron is an advanced nurse practitioner who in the role can:
- Complete a comprehensive patient history including carrying out physical examinations and undertake planning to support findings.
- Use knowledge and clinical judgement to identify the potential diagnosis.
- Use extensive practice experience to plan and provide skilled and competent care that meets patients’ health and social care needs.
- Support referral of patients for investigations and carry out treatment, including the prescribing of medicine and referral of patients to an appropriate specialist.
- Assess and evaluate, with patients, the effectiveness of the treatment and care supporting changes as needed, whilst ensuring the provision of continuity of care, including follow-up visits.
- Work independent for daily practice through supporting holistic intervention as part of a healthcare team, including the provision of team leadership.
- Ensure that each patient’s treatment and care is based on best practice.