If you’re an older adult in Ireland — or caring for one — there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the public health nurse, or PHN. But many people aren’t entirely sure what PHNs do, when to contact them, or how their service works. The truth is, public health nurses are one of Ireland’s most valuable and underused supports for people ageing at home.
Whether you need help managing a health condition, recovering after a hospital stay, or simply want advice on supports available in your area, your local PHN could be the first person to call.
TL;DR
- Public health nurses (PHNs) provide free, community-based nursing care to older adults across Ireland through the HSE
- Services include home visits, wound care, medication support, post-hospital follow-up, and referrals to other HSE services
- You don’t need a GP referral — you can contact your local health centre directly to request PHN support
- PHNs play a key role in helping older adults remain independent at home, linking them with home support, aids, and community services
- The service is free of charge regardless of whether you hold a medical card
What Is a Public Health Nurse?
A public health nurse is a registered nurse with additional qualifications in public health nursing. In Ireland, PHNs are employed by the HSE and work within defined community areas, providing nursing care in people’s homes, health centres, and community settings.
While most people associate PHNs with postnatal visits to new mothers, a significant part of their work involves supporting older adults. In fact, care of older people is one of the largest areas of PHN practice in Ireland, particularly as the population ages and more people wish to remain living at home.
PHNs operate as part of the HSE’s Primary Care Teams, working alongside GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, home support workers, and social workers. They are, in many ways, the linchpin of community-based healthcare for older adults.
What Services Do PHNs Provide for Older Adults?
The range of services your PHN can offer is broader than many people realise. These include:
- Home visits and health assessments — PHNs can visit you at home to carry out nursing assessments, monitor chronic conditions, and check on your general wellbeing
- Wound care and dressings — if you have a wound, surgical site, or leg ulcer that needs regular attention, your PHN can provide treatment at home or in the health centre
- Post-hospital discharge support — after a hospital stay, your PHN can help with the transition home, ensuring you have the supports and follow-up care you need
- Medication management support — while PHNs don’t prescribe medication, they can help you understand your medicines, check adherence, and liaise with your GP or pharmacist
- Continence care — PHNs provide assessment and supply continence products through the HSE’s continence service
- Palliative and end-of-life care — PHNs work closely with specialist palliative care teams to support people who are seriously ill at home
- Referrals to other services — your PHN can refer you to HSE home support, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, day care centres, and other community services
- Carer support — PHNs also support family carers, offering advice, practical help, and signposting to respite and support services
How to Access the PHN Service
One of the best things about the PHN service is how straightforward it is to access. You do not need a GP referral. You can simply contact your local health centre and ask to speak with or be visited by the public health nurse for your area.
Here’s how to find your local PHN:
- Contact your local health centre — the HSE website has a health centre directory where you can search by county
- Ask your GP — your family doctor can make a referral or give you the PHN’s contact details
- Call HSELive — phone 1800 700 700 for help finding local services
- Hospital referral — if you’re being discharged from hospital, the discharge team should notify your PHN automatically
The service is free of charge for everyone. You do not need a medical card or GP visit card to avail of PHN services, though having one may make it easier to access certain additional supports.
The PHN’s Role in Helping You Stay at Home
Ireland’s national policy, as set out in the Sláintecare programme, emphasises keeping people well and living independently in their own homes for as long as possible. The PHN is central to making this a reality.
When a PHN visits an older adult at home, they don’t just look at the immediate health concern. They take a holistic view — assessing mobility, nutrition, social connection, home safety, and mental wellbeing. This comprehensive approach means potential problems can be spotted and addressed early, before they become crises.
For example, a PHN might notice that someone recovering from a fall could benefit from a home safety assessment by an occupational therapist, or that a person living alone might benefit from the ALONE befriending service. They can initiate referrals for the HSE Home Support Service, arrange aids and appliances, or connect families with the HSE respite care service.
Research from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) consistently shows that community-based supports — including PHN visits — are associated with better health outcomes, reduced hospital admissions, and greater independence among older adults.
After a Hospital Stay: The PHN Safety Net
One of the most important times to engage with your PHN is after a hospital discharge. The transition from hospital to home can be a vulnerable period, particularly for older adults who may have reduced mobility, new medications, or ongoing wound care needs.
Under HSE protocols, hospitals should notify the PHN in your area when you are being discharged. However, this doesn’t always happen seamlessly. If you or a family member are coming home from hospital and haven’t heard from your PHN within a few days, it’s worth making contact yourself through your local health centre.
Your PHN can:
- Review your discharge plan and medications
- Arrange home nursing visits for wound care or injections
- Assess whether you need additional supports such as home help or equipment
- Coordinate with your GP to ensure continuity of care
PHNs and the Statutory Home Support Scheme
Ireland’s forthcoming Statutory Home Support Scheme, expected to place home care on a legal footing similar to the Fair Deal Scheme for nursing homes, will further strengthen the role of PHNs. Under the planned scheme, the PHN will likely be involved in assessing care needs and coordinating services at community level.
This is a significant development. Currently, access to home support can vary by region and availability. A statutory scheme would give older adults a legal right to an assessment and, where eligible, access to home care services. The PHN’s role in this process will be essential.
Making the Most of Your PHN Relationship
Like any healthcare relationship, getting the most from your PHN involves clear communication. Here are some practical tips:
- Don’t wait for a crisis — if you’re finding it harder to manage at home, reach out to your PHN early. Prevention is always better than cure.
- Keep a list of your medications — bring this to every PHN visit or have it easily accessible at home
- Be honest about how you’re coping — PHNs are there to help, not to judge. If you’re struggling with loneliness, mobility, or managing daily tasks, tell them
- Ask about available supports — your PHN knows what’s available locally and can connect you with services you might not know exist
- Involve your family — if you have a family carer, encourage them to be present during PHN visits so everyone is on the same page
Where Críonna Health Can Help
At Críonna Health, we believe that understanding the supports available to you is one of the most important steps in ageing well. The PHN service is free, accessible, and designed to help you live independently — but only if you know it’s there and how to use it.
If you found this guide helpful, explore our other articles on Irish resources and supports for practical, evidence-informed guidance on navigating healthcare, entitlements, and community services as you age.
📷 Photo by Georg Arthur Pflueger on Unsplash
