Team supporting patients with chronic wounds commended at national awards ceremony

A TEAM supporting patients with chronic wounds at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) have been commended for their work to improve patient outcomes.

This includes the tissue viability team (pictured, right), leg ulcer nurse specialist, and the podiatry and vascular nurse practitioners at PAHT. They were recognised as part of the wider network of tissue viability nurses and wound care practitioners across the Hertfordshire and West Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP).
 
The team reached the finals of the recent Nursing Times Awards in the ‘Innovation in Chronic Wound Management’ category following a programme of developments in the way care is delivered across the STP area.
 
Working with partners across the system, they addressed variation in order to demonstrate best practice in wound care. This has included specialist projects on vascular care, plastics, dermatology, podiatry and lymphoedema (a condition that causes swelling in body tissue).
 
Their first step was to highlight the extent of wound related problems in our population via a public health consultation, followed by developing clinical pathways – the process healthcare professionals follow to diagnose and treat patients. Specific clinical pathways were created for leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, cellulitis (a type of bacterial skin infection), heel, ankle and foot pressure ulcers or wounds, oedema (swelling), and lower limb care for patients who are at a particular risk of wounds.
 
Dawn Royall, lead tissue viability nurse specialist, said: “It was wonderful to reach the finals of the Nursing Times awards. We are proud of the work we have carried out with our system partners to improve the lives of our patients who have conditions such as leg ulcers, lymphoedema and oedema.
 
“With early intervention and streamlining patient care, we can ensure the best experience and outcome for patients. We are now working with the STP delivery boards to roll out the programme across the area.”