Setting the scene
In 2016 a pioneering Best Practice Statement the “Holistic Management of Venous Leg Ulceration” was published. Written by a panel of clinical experts, it challenged ritualistic practice and gave a rallying cry for a consistent approach to leg ulcer care in the UK.
In parliament, Lord Hunt is calling for a wound care strategy to focus on wound prevention, healing and where possible patient self-care. Something we fully support at L&R.
A national initiative called “Legs Matter”, led by high profile clinicians, is being launched at the Tissue Viability Society Conference in April 2018. It aims to raise the profile of leg ulcers and improve their care.
Awareness is visibly growing around the challenges of wound care and L&R are well placed to be part of the changing environment. We have leg ulcer expertise and clinically proven products, but most importantly we care about patients and we care about our customers which constantly drives us to make a difference.
Leg ulcer challenges
There are over 730,000 leg ulcer patients in the UK (Guest et al 2015) and with that number set to rise, a new way of approaching these chronic wounds is necessary. Especially as the NHS needs to make savings of £200 billion by 2020.
Features on diabetes, obesity and pressure ulcers fill our newspapers. Yet leg ulcers are four times more common than pressure ulcers and wound care costs the NHS over £5 billion p.a. – as much as managing diabetes and obesity.
»We are immensely proud to be part of this.«
Simon Mangan
Managing Director
L&R Medical UK
So where does L&R fit in the picture?
“We love the Best Practice Statement on venous leg ulcers. It contains a Leg Ulcer Treatment Algorithm (Atkin and Tickle 2016), which provides a simple and systematic way of treating patients with leg ulcers. Helping to prevent the pain and suffering of non-healing wounds.
Adopting its recommendations can lead to improved healing outcomes, improved patient quality of life and consistency of care. Health care professionals up and down the country are finding out first-hand how it works for them and their patients, with support and training provided by L&R.”
Algorithm adoption works!
The algorithm recommends that two layer hosiery kits such as Activa and ActiLymph are used as first choice instead of bandages. This simple change in mind set, from hosiery to bandages, is leading to happier patients, cost savings and shorter times for healing.
