ServQ HealthcareCare guide
Nurse, GDA or attendant: who does your parent need?
A plain-language guide to what each type of home carer can and cannot do, and how to choose.
Not medical advice. This guide is general information for families and does not replace advice from your own doctor. In an emergency call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
Choose a nurse when a doctor has advised medical care such as injections, dressings or catheter care. Choose a GDA for hands-on daily help with some health checks, and an attendant for daily-living help and company. A physiotherapist is for movement and rehabilitation.
Quick comparison
| Need | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Injections, IV drip (on prescription), wound dressing, catheter care | Nurse | Needs nursing training and registration |
| Bathing, toileting, feeding, moving a bedridden person, checking pulse and temperature | GDA | Trained health aide, no injections or wound packing |
| Company, supervision, reminders, light daily help | Attendant | Daily-living help and presence |
| Weak muscles, stiffness, balance or recovery after stroke or surgery | Physiotherapist | Assessment and exercise therapy |
| Going to hospital appointments | Escort | Accompanies and supports on the day |
Questions to ask yourself
- Has a doctor advised a medical task (injection, dressing, tube care)? If yes, a nurse is needed for that task.
- Does your parent need physical help to wash, dress, use the toilet or move? A GDA or attendant fits.
- Is the main need safety and company, for example for memory problems or loneliness? An attendant fits.
- Does your parent need care at night? See night and 24-hour care.
- Is the goal to get stronger or walk again? Ask about physiotherapy.
Combining carers
Many families use an attendant daily and add a nurse for a few visits a week for a dressing or injection. This is often safer and less costly than asking one person to do everything.
What to check with any carer
- Ask for ID and, for nurses and physiotherapists, the council registration
- Never hand over cash or valuables
- Be sure they follow the doctor's written instructions and do not change doses
- Ask for a record of what was done in each visit
At ServQ Healthcare each booking is only offered to providers whose qualification fits the task. See the full list in safety and trust.
Medical review: this guide is awaiting review by [REVIEWER NAME AND QUALIFICATION] on [REVIEW DATE].