Public Health Nursing

The goal of Public Health Nursing is to promote and preserve the health and well being of populations, which encompasses communities, groups, families and individuals. Services provided are broadly diverse, ranging from education to consultation to primary care provision to advocacy. Provision of Public Health

Nursing services includes the following activities:

• identification, assessment and response to the health needs of each age group or community;
• provision of supportive services to the target population, including linkages to available external resources, service providers and community organizations ;
• referral to appropriate professionals and service agencies;
• Completion of the necessary recording, evaluation and follow-up of the service provided.
• Addressing health issues throughout an individual's lifespan, Public Health Nursing services can be roughly grouped into the following categories: Prenatal, Postnatal, Child Health Clinic (CHC), School, Child/Adolescent, Adult and CD/Immunization.

Services Provided:
Prenatal Health Services: Public Health Nurses promote a healthy pregnancy in a variety of settings, which may include the client's home, the public health office, the telephone, and the hospital, and while facilitating group classes in the community. Prenatal care may include:  

• Physical and psychosocial assessment followed by appropriate health education, referral and follow-up;
• Evidence-based education and support;
• Assisting the family to cope with the social, physical and emotional needs and changes brought on by pregnancy and childbirth.

Postnatal Health Services: Public Health Nurses promote healthy child and family development by providing supportive services and primary health care to the postnatal family. These services are provided in a variety of settings including the hospital, the family's home, the public health office, by telephone and through group meetings in the community.

Child Health Clinic (CHC) Services: The CHC provides Public Health Nurses with an opportunity to provide both preventative and interventionist health services. Public Health Nurses use these clinics to both vaccinate children against various communicable diseases (e.g. diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilius influenzae type b Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, etc) and to perform a series of screenings and assessments. The screenings and assessments not only provide a thorough assessment of the child's growth and development but also provide a basis for any required health education, anticipatory guidance or referral.

School Health Services: School health services provide Public Health Nurses with an opportunity to provide both preventative and interventionist health strategies. School health services may include: 

• immunization
• communicable disease prevention, surveillance and follow-up
• vision screening at 6 and 9 years and, if necessary, 5 years
• liaison and resource regarding school personnel, students and families
• health education and counselling to individuals as requested
• Support Program for Pregnant Adolescents
• hearing screening
• group health education
• health consultation with teachers

Child/Adolescent Health Services: Services are directed to individuals 30 days to 18 years of age and may involve the individual directly or indirectly through consultation with a parent, guardian or primary caregiver. Child/Adolescent Health Services may include the following:

• nutrition and feeding practices
• parenting and discipline issues
• child growth and development
• puberty and sexuality issues
• physical health concerns and maintenance
• mental health concerns and maintenance safety and injury prevention

Adult Health Services: Services are directed to those individuals aged 19 and older. Adult health services may include:

• physical health concerns and maintenance
• mental health concerns and maintenance
• healthy eating and/or activity levels
• family planning
• grief and/or loss support
• family and/or relationship issues
• breastfeeding support (after 30 days postpartum)
• general health and/or disease information
• information regarding community resources and supports

CD/Immunization:Services are directed to individuals throughout the lifespan. Communicable disease follow-up and teaching to: 

• prevent and/or decrease the incidence of communicable diseases
• provide appropriate client follow-up and contact tracing
• provide counseling and education regarding immunization and prophylaxis that is provided at times other than during immunization

Contact:
Weyburn Public Health 842-8618

Carlyle Community Health 453-6131

Coronach Health Centre 267-5705

Redvers Health Centre 452-3464

Galloway Health Centre 483-2313

Kipling Community Health 736-2112, 736-2113

St. Joseph's Hospital 637-3626

Radville Public Health 869-2555