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Fears for wound care patients after pandemic

A new report finds that many nurses fear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the outcomes of those living with a wound. Experts warn that “going back to business as usual” is not an option.

Given the scale of wound prevalence, and the potential for wounds to have a lifechanging impact, it is imperative that wound care services are optimised to provide the best care possible for patients. In addition to the impact on patients, the provision of wound care services accounts for a substantial amount of NHS resources, costing £8.3 billion annually.1 This total cost is approaching the combined annual NHS cost of managing osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, reported to be £10.2 billion in 2017.2

With the level of patient need in wound care rising, the amount of NHS resources needed for wound care is likely to increase. However, the NHS’s investment in wound care has traditionally received little attention compared to some other areas of illness and treatment. A new report, jointly produced by the Patients Association and Mölnlycke, argues that an improved focus on both patterns of patient need and how services are delivered holds potential for preventing avoidable increases in demand, as well as making more effective use of NHS resources.

The new report warns that around 28% of patients are managing their own wounds due to the pandemic.3 One in fifty people in Britain – around 3.8 million – currently rely on wound care services, but variation in standards means patients are having mixed experiences of care across the country.  

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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