There’s a common misconception that high-quality in-home care requires a Registered Nurse on every shift. In reality, New Zealand’s homecare model is built on a team-based approach: highly trained caregivers delivering day-to-day support, with clinical oversight from a Registered Nurse.

And it works incredibly well.

Here’s why:

- Caregivers are skilled professionals.

They are trained, competency-assessed, and supported to provide personal cares, household support, companionship, dementia care, and end-of-life assistance. Many have years of experience and formal qualifications.

- Registered Nurses provide the clinical framework.

An RN develops the care plan, sets clinical parameters, works with GPs and specialists, and ensures care is safe, evidence-based, and person-centred — just without needing to be physically present every hour.

- It’s the model used across New Zealand.

Both publicly funded and private homecare services rely on caregiver-led support under RN oversight. It’s efficient, sustainable, and aligned with how people actually want to receive care - at home, with consistency, dignity, and continuity of relationships.

- Having an RN on every shift is unnecessary — and unrealistic.

If NZ required RNs in every homecare visit, the system would collapse overnight. We simply don’t have the workforce, nor is it clinically required for the majority of tasks delivered in the home.

- Quality comes from the team, not a title.

The magic of homecare is the consistent, trusted relationship between client and caregiver which is backed by strong clinical governance. That’s where outcomes improve, confidence grows, and families relax.

At Kate McLean Homecare, our caregivers are exceptional. They are supported by a clinical team who know our clients deeply, update care plans regularly, and respond quickly when health needs change.

Support at home starts with the right team.

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