The AHSN Network Transforming Wound Care national spread and adoption programme which 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).

The South West AHSN is taking part in Phase 1 of the programme and is supporting Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to establish a dedicated Lower Limb Wound Clinic Test and Evaluation Site.

The challenge

Most wounds to lower limbs heal within a few weeks. Chronic lower limb wounds are those below the knee that are slow or fail to heal. Chronic lower limb wounds account for at least 42% of all wounds in the UK, with leg ulcers being the most common type (34% of the total wound population, compared to 7% pressure ulcers and 8% diabetic foot ulcers).

A large proportion of the total wound care spend is for these chronic lower limb wounds because of their slower healing rates. In 2019, there were an estimated 739,000 leg ulcers in England with estimated associated healthcare costs of £3.1 billion per annum year.

Based on evidence from the National Wound Care Strategy Programme, the prevalence of total leg ulcers is expected to increase by around 4% annually, to over 1 million by 2036 if there is no intervention. This is driven by an increase in leg ulcers that either recur after healing or those that do not heal.

How will we do it?

The three key elements of the programme are:

• People: the delivery of training to all staff supporting patients with wounds
• Processes: implementing a new evidence-based model based on the recommendations of the NWCSP
• Technology & design: supporting data collection and provision of care through a new digital wound management system

Find out more about the national programme.

If you would like to be involved in the programme please email Judith Stewart, Programme Manager (Digital) at Judith.Stewart@swahsn.com.