Recognising Wound Care as a Long Term Condition in primary care (2019)

Berkshire West CCG

Project Summary

Wound care products are not thought of as a medication and as such do not always receive the attention they deserve. Products are often used inappropriately and do not provide adequate wound healing parameters. It is common to see multiple products used within a short period of time.

Patients could be put at risk from infection and allergic reactions. Where there is little or slow progress with wound healing patients often become disengaged from the process and this contributes to poor outcomes.

This project focused on supporting Practice nurses and their patients with wounds

The outcomes have been three fold: 

  • Improving patients experiences, reduced healing rates and appropriate treatment plans - with hospital admissions avoided
  • Up skilling and supporting practice nurses in wound care decision making and a change in thought process- wounds especially leg ulcers are a long term condition with the need to assess, monitor and prevention
  • Budget implications - reduction in costs and spend in dressing products,