Our service is for adults who need intravenous therapy and we support a range of people with conditions.

Below are some of the conditions we can treat in the community:

• Cellulitis (soft tissue and skin infections)
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Respiratory (breathing) problems
• Urine infections
• Spinal infections
• Osteomyelitis (infections of the bone)
• Anti-viral treatments
• Cardiac (heart) related infections

Our community nurses deliver safe, effective and evidence based intravenous therapy nursing care to patients in a community setting.

We provide a range of domiciliary services which include intravenous antibiotics at home (including the administration of Elastomeric devices when approved by Microbiology), blood monitoring for IV Antibiotic and Haematology patients, blood/platelet transfusions, sub-cutaneous chemotherapy and Zoledronic acid.

Criteria for intravenous antibiotics at home:​​​​​​​

• If a patient has been assessed as suitable for OPAT, then the patient must be discussed with the Consultant Microbiologist, unless you are ringing from an assessment ward and following the cellulitis pathway.
• The patient must have a Bolton postcode and Bolton GP.
• All referrals must be discussed with the IV Team coordinator.

Venesections

Patients are referred via Dr Nayeemuddin/Gastroenterology for Venesection (bloodletting), and frequent monitoring of their Ferritin and Hb for management of Haemochromatosis.

Ferrinject

Must always be administered within the clinic environment. Ferrinject is not licensed for administration in the home environment.

Zoledronic Acid

We administer Zoledronic acid for rheumatology and The Christie’s patients. We can administer Zoledronic acid at patient’s homes for housebound rheumatology patients.

Rituximab/Tocilizumab

Patients referred from Rheumatology will attend Breightmet Health Centre for their infusions.

Infliximab/Vedolizumab

Patients referred from the IBD team will also attend Breightmet Health Centre for their infusions.