Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust selected as pilot site for Transforming Wound Care programme
Establishing a lower limb service for the local population
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) has been successfully selected to become a Test and Evaluation Site (TES) as part of the Academic Health Science Network’s (AHSN Network) new national Transforming Wound Care spread and adoption programme for 2022.
The programme aims to ensure all patients with lower limb wounds receive evidence-based care which leads to:
- faster healing of wounds
- improved quality of life for patients
- reduced likelihood of wound recurrence
- uses health and care resources more effectively
The programme uses the evidence, learning and recommendations from the National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP).
In 2019, there were an estimated 739,000 leg ulcers in England with estimated associated healthcare costs of £3.1 billion per annum year. The biggest proportion of the burden of wound care is due to lower limb wounds.
Early modelling indicated that improving lower limb wound care would release 11% of community nursing time for other areas of care and reduce the spend on dressings due to faster healing and lower recurrence rates.
The South West AHSN is taking part in Phase 1 of the programme, and will be working with colleagues at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and other Integrated Care Board (ICB) partners, building upon their current activity to establish a dedicated Lower Limb Wound Service for the local population.
Pip Williams, Lead Practitioner in Tissue Viability at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, commented:
Success in becoming a Test and Evaluation Site has come with immense pride for the work we already do in Cornwall, and the dedication the teams have in improving lower limb wound care. The Transforming Wound Care programme is an opportunity for the patients in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly to benefit from a consistent and high-standard wound care service, delivered within their county. It is with delight and enthusiasm that we look forward to the journey ahead.”
Rebecca Whitting, National Programme Director at the AHSN Network, leading the TWC programme, said:
Transforming Wound Care is an exciting programme which builds on the evidence and learning from the National Wound Care Strategy Programme. The AHSN Network will use its expertise in spread and adoption, working with local systems to support the implementation of the three programme elements. We are delighted to have our first Test and Evaluations sites on board, and look forward to working with them on this journey.”
Dr Una Adderley, Director of the National Wound Care Strategy Programme, said:
This is an incredibly important programme which will significantly improve the quality of life for people with lower limb wounds. It will also bring large productivity benefits, particularly for community nursing, reduce pressure on general practice, and prevent urgent admissions to acute care. Improving lower limb wound care will ensure that everyone with a leg or foot ulcer gets quick access to high quality diagnosis and treatment. We’re delighted to be involved in the spread of this work, building on the brilliant work and learning from the NWSCP.”
If you’d like to know more about the programme, please contact Judith Stewart, Programme Manager (Digital) at Judith.Stewart@swahsn.com.
