Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Community Nursing
Tenma Health Care Services (THCS)
Approved Provider of Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Community Nursing
Tenma Health Care Services (THCS) provides professional, person-centred DVA Community Nursing services to eligible DVA clients in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.
Our experienced healthcare professionals provide clinically necessary nursing and personal care based on each client's assessed needs. Our aim is to support health, independence, dignity and quality of life while helping eligible DVA clients remain safely at home.
The DVA Community Nursing Program is designed to enhance the independence and health outcomes of eligible DVA clients by providing clinically necessary nursing and personal care in their own home, helping to avoid early admission to hospital or residential aged care.
What is DVA Community Nursing?
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Community Nursing Program provides eligible DVA clients with access to clinically necessary nursing and personal care services in their own home.
Care is based on each individual's assessed clinical needs and may be provided for either a short-term or ongoing period.
For example, a client may require short-term nursing care following an operation, such as wound care, or may require ongoing assistance with personal care such as showering, hygiene or continence support.
At THCS, we believe quality care begins with understanding the individual. Our services are designed around the person's assessed needs while supporting their independence, dignity and wellbeing.
Our DVA Community Nursing Services
DVA Community Nursing services must be clinically necessary nursing and/or personal care services and remain within the scope of the DVA Community Nursing Program.
Depending on your assessed needs, our services may include:
Clinical Nursing Care
- Comprehensive nursing assessments
- Medication assistance and administration
- Wound assessment and wound care
- Clinical health monitoring
- Continence management
- Chronic disease support and monitoring
- Post-operative nursing care
- Post-hospital discharge nursing support
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Other clinically necessary nursing services within the scope of the DVA Community Nursing Program
Personal Care
Where clinically required and included within your nursing care plan:
- Personal hygiene
- Showering and bathing
- Dressing and grooming
- Assistance with eating
- Continence care
- Mobility and transfer assistance
- Other clinically required personal care
Clinical care is delivered by appropriately qualified nursing professionals. Personal care may be delivered by appropriately qualified Personal Care Workers, Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses, under appropriate Registered Nurse oversight and delegation.
Care in the Comfort of Your Own Home
DVA Community Nursing services are delivered face-to-face in the client's home.
The DVA Community Nursing Program does not provide services in hospitals, residential aged care homes, community centres, clinics or other non-home locations.
Our home-based approach allows us to provide professional care in a familiar environment while supporting comfort, dignity, safety and independence.
Care Designed Around You
At Tenma Health Care Services, we understand that every Veteran and DVA client has different health circumstances and care requirements.
Before services commence, a Registered Nurse conducts a comprehensive nursing assessment and develops an individual nursing care plan based on the client's assessed needs.
The client, or their authorised legal representative, must agree to and sign the nursing care plan before services commence.
Your care plan may consider:
- Your clinical nursing needs
- Personal care requirements
- Your current health circumstances
- Your individual preferences
- Safety and wellbeing
- Coordination with other healthcare providers
- Changes in your care needs over time
Care requirements are reassessed when needed, and care plans are updated as circumstances change or at least every three months.
Who Can Access DVA Community Nursing?
Eligibility is determined by DVA requirements and your assessed clinical needs.
Veteran Card – All Conditions
Veteran Card – All Conditions holders can receive Community Nursing services to meet their assessed clinical nursing and personal care needs.
Veteran Card – Specific Conditions
Veteran Card – Specific Conditions holders may access Community Nursing where the required services directly relate to their accepted condition or conditions.
Eligibility must be confirmed by DVA before services commence.
People with a Veteran Card – Specific Conditions who have current approval for Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT), as well as recipients of Non-Liability Health Care, may also be eligible.
THCS confirms DVA eligibility before commencing DVA-funded services.
How to Access DVA Community Nursing
Accessing DVA Community Nursing begins with a valid written referral from an authorised referral source.
Authorised referral sources include:
- General Practitioner (GP)
- Treating medical practitioner in a hospital
- Hospital discharge planner
- Nurse practitioner
Referral Requirements
GP referrals are generally valid for 12 months, while hospital and nurse practitioner referrals are valid for 6 weeks.
A referral must be renewed every 12 months or after each episode of care. If a client has been out of care for more than 28 days, a new referral is required.
The referral should identify the clinically required nursing and personal care services needed to meet the client's assessed care needs.
Our DVA Care Process
- Referral
An authorised healthcare professional provides a valid written referral for DVA Community Nursing. - Eligibility Confirmation
THCS confirms your DVA eligibility and reviews the requested services to ensure they are appropriate and within the scope of the program. - Comprehensive Nursing Assessment
A Registered Nurse conducts a comprehensive assessment in your home. - Individual Nursing Care Plan
The RN develops an individual care plan based on your assessed clinical and personal care needs. - Agreement to Care
You or your authorised legal representative reviews and agrees to the care plan before services commence. - Care at Home
Our appropriately qualified healthcare professionals deliver the services outlined in your care plan. - Ongoing Review
Your care needs are monitored and reassessed as required. Care plans are updated when circumstances change and comprehensively reviewed by an RN at least every three months.
Working With Your Healthcare Team
Quality community nursing requires collaboration.
THCS works with your GP and other relevant healthcare professionals to support continuity of care.
DVA expects the client's GP to maintain ongoing clinical oversight and management of their care. Community Nursing providers are therefore required to communicate with the client's GP regularly.
Where appropriate, we also work with other service providers involved in your care to ensure services complement one another and avoid unnecessary duplication.
DVA Community Nursing & Other Government-Funded Services
Eligible clients may receive DVA Community Nursing alongside other government-funded services, including the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Support at Home.
However, these programs serve different purposes.
DVA Community Nursing is specifically focused on clinically necessary nursing and personal care.
Broader supports such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, meal preparation, companionship, social assistance, driving, transport and respite are outside the scope of the DVA Community Nursing Program and may need to be accessed through another appropriate program or provider.
THCS can work with other providers where appropriate to help coordinate services and minimise duplication of care.
Short-Term or Ongoing Support
DVA Community Nursing can be provided according to your individual clinical needs.
Short-Term Support
You may require temporary nursing support following:
- An operation
- Hospital discharge
- An injury
- A wound requiring ongoing care
- Another short-term clinical need
Ongoing Support
Some eligible clients may require longer-term assistance with:
- Personal hygiene
- Showering
- Continence
- Medication
- Chronic health needs
- Ongoing clinical or personal care requirements
The duration and level of support are determined by your assessed needs and individual care plan.
Palliative & End-of-Life Care
DVA Community Nursing can provide clinically necessary palliative and end-of-life care to eligible clients within the scope of the program.
At THCS, we understand the importance of providing compassionate, respectful care during this stage of life, while supporting the individual and their family.
Why Choose Tenma Health Care Services?
Professional Healthcare Team
Our team is committed to delivering safe, respectful and compassionate care in the home.
Registered Nurse-Led Care
DVA Community Nursing care is based on comprehensive RN assessment, individual care planning and appropriate clinical oversight.
Person-Centred Approach
We recognise that every Veteran and DVA client is different. Your care is based on your assessed needs, circumstances and preferences.
Care in Your Own Home
We bring clinically necessary nursing and personal care directly to you, helping you remain in the familiar surroundings of your home.
Collaborative Care
We work alongside you, your family or carer, GP and other relevant healthcare professionals to support coordinated care.
Supporting Independence
Our goal is to help eligible DVA clients maintain their health, independence, dignity and quality of life at home.
Our Commitment to Quality
Tenma Health Care Services is committed to maintaining appropriate clinical documentation and delivering services in accordance with DVA Community Nursing requirements.
DVA may undertake compliance monitoring, including review of:
- Valid Community Nursing referrals
- Comprehensive nursing assessments
- Nursing care plans
- Progress notes
- Relevant medication and wound management documentation
- Other records where applicable
Our commitment is to provide care that is professional, accountable, person-centred and clinically appropriate.
Supporting Veterans to Live Well at Home
Receiving professional care does not have to mean giving up your independence.
At Tenma Health Care Services (THCS), our DVA Community Nursing services are designed to provide clinically necessary nursing and personal care while supporting eligible clients to remain safely and comfortably at home.
Whether your need is short-term or ongoing, our experienced team is here to provide professional care with dignity, respect and compassion.
Looking for DVA Community Nursing?
Are you a Veteran, DVA client, family member or carer looking for professional nursing support at home?
Our team can help you understand the DVA Community Nursing process and the next steps for accessing care.
Contact Tenma Health Care Services (THCS) Today
Enquire about DVA Community Nursing and discover how we can support you at home.