Key takeaways
- Attendants (GDA) provide personal care; nurses provide medical care.
- Injections, IV drips, catheters, Ryles tubes and wound dressings need a qualified nurse.
- Many families combine a live-in attendant with nurse visits for procedures.
- ICU-level patients need an experienced GNM or B.Sc. nurse, usually in two shifts.
GDA / patient care attendant
A General Duty Assistant (GDA) is trained in basic patient care. At home an attendant helps with bathing and sponge baths, diaper changes, oral care, feeding by mouth, turning the patient to prevent bed sores, walking support, and keeping the patient company. They can remind the patient to take medicines that the family or nurse has prepared.
Attendants should not give injections, start or manage IV lines, change catheters or insert tubes.
ANM nurse
An Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) holds a two-year nursing qualification. ANMs can give injections, check vital signs, do simple dressings and support mother-and-baby care. They suit patients who need basic nursing alongside personal care.
GNM nurse
A General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) nurse holds a three-year diploma and has hospital ward experience. GNM nurses manage IV drips and cannulas, injections, catheter care, Ryles tube feeding, wound care, oxygen and nebulisation, and keep accurate medicine and vital-sign records. Most skilled home nursing is done by GNM nurses.
B.Sc. Nursing
A B.Sc. nurse holds a four-year degree. Experienced B.Sc. nurses are often preferred for ICU care at home, ventilator and tracheostomy patients, and complex cases with multiple lines and machines.
Quick guide: who does what
- Bathing, feeding, diapers, turning, walking support — GDA attendant.
- Injections, blood pressure and sugar checks — ANM or GNM nurse.
- IV drip, cannula, catheter, Ryles tube, wound dressing — GNM or B.Sc. nurse.
- Ventilator, BiPAP, tracheostomy, suction, ICU at home — ICU-experienced GNM or B.Sc. nurse.
Combining attendant and nurse care
Many families keep a 12-hour or 24-hour attendant for personal care and book a nurse visit once or twice a day for injections, dressings or tube changes. This keeps costs manageable while making sure medical tasks are done by a qualified person.
Frequently asked questions
Can an attendant give injections?
No. Injections, IV drips and other medical procedures should only be done by a qualified nurse following a doctor’s prescription.
What is the difference between GNM and ANM?
GNM is a three-year diploma covering general and ward nursing, while ANM is a two-year course focused on basic nursing and maternal care. GNM nurses usually handle more complex home nursing.
Is a GDA attendant enough for an elderly parent?
If the parent mainly needs help with daily activities and supervision, a trained attendant is usually enough. Add nurse visits if they need injections, dressings or tube care.
This guide is general information for families, not medical advice. Always follow your treating doctor’s instructions. In an emergency call 108 / 112.