Introduction

In this chapter we introduce the background and rationale for our historical review of community nursing services through the lens of health policy. We provide the research questions the review is based on and detail the topic themes used to structure our answers to these questions. We have considered policy relating to community nursing services over seven eras from 1948 to the present day and each subsequent chapter details this. A definition of community/district nursing used for the purposes of the review is provided, as well as an outline of the structure of the chapters and the book. Each chapter will follow a consistent format: Historical context The role and function of community/district nursing services The management of community/district nursing services and the population covered Financing community/district nursing services Summary