St Mary’s Church Parish Nurse Service

What is a Parish Nurse?

A Parish Nurse is a qualified Registered Nurse who offers free, confidential support to help people improve their health and wellbeing—physically, emotionally, and (if desired) spiritually.

All Parish Nurses are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and follow its professional Code of Conduct. They bring experience from working in the NHS and community settings.

Our Parish Nurses are employed by St Mary’s Church, Chipping Norton, with funding from the Helen Hamlyn Trust. The service is available to people living in Chipping Norton and the surrounding villages.

Who is this service for?

The Parish Nurse Service is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, or beliefs. You do not need to attend church or have any faith. The Parish Nurse can offer spiritual care and prayer following the individuals consent for this, however, will never pressure anyone to change beliefs or attend church.

We can support:

• Adults, older people, and families
• People living with long-term health conditions
• Those feeling isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed
• Carers who need advice or support

What does a Parish Nurse do?

Parish Nurses focus on the whole person, not just a medical condition. They take time to listen and offer practical, emotional, and (if you choose) spiritual support.

Spiritual care, including prayer, is always optional and only offered with your consent.

The Parish Nurse can:

• Help you find the right care and navigate health and social services
• Support your health goals, wellbeing, stress, and anxiety
• Offer general health advice, education, and community clinics
• Provide time to listen and emotional support
• Advocate for you, including attending appointments if needed
• Offer home visits where appropriate
• Signpost you to local services and support
• Liaise with healthcare professionals (with your consent)
• Support family members and carers
• Offer optional spiritual care, including prayer

What we are not able to provide

To make sure you receive the right care, there are some services we cannot offer. The Parish Nurse Service complements NHS and other services—it does not replace them.

We are unable to provide:

• Emergency or urgent medical treatment
• Clinical procedures (such as injections, dressings, or hands-on care)
• Specialist medical advice
• Mental health crisis support
• Personal care or respite care
• Hospice or end-of-life care

If you are unwell or need medical advice, please contact your GP or NHS 111.

How to refer into the Parish Nurse Service

For more information please see the Parish Nurse Service Leaflet 

For a client to be accepted by the Parish Nursing Service, a referral form must be completed using the referral forms below.

Self-referrals – Please complete the referral form found here (please could the self-referral form be embedded here)

Alternatively, you can phone the Parish Nurse on 07364219486 Or email parishnurse@smcn.uk who will be happy to complete the form on your behalf.

If  you need any help or support to make the referral you are welcome to come and speak to a volunteer at The Branch weekdays between 9am and 3pm who have referral forms they will be able to complete with you and share with the Parish Nurse.

Referrals from family and friends – Family and friends can refer someone with their full consent. Please complete the referral form below. (please could the family and friends referral be embedded here)

Professional Referrals – Professionals are welcome to refer individuals with consent. Please share the Parish Nurse leaflet (please could the parish nurse leaflet be embedded here) and complete the professional referral form found here (please could the professional referral form be embedded here)

Why is this service being provided?

The Parish Nurse Service is part of a community initiative to support healthier ageing and wellbeing.

The Parish Nurse Service has been funded by The Helen Hamlyn Trust | Paul Hamlyn Foundation and is a partnership between St Mary’s Chipping Norton, The Branch and the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. The Parish Nurses will work on an initiative to support the development of a Healthy Ageing Hub in the community EPICS | Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

The service will contribute to the development of a local Healthy Ageing Hub—providing a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space focused on wellbeing and independence. This initiative has been shaped by feedback from local residents about what support is most needed in the community.