National wound care programme demonstrates improved outcomes 

Posted by: Jamie Sharp - Posted on:

National Wound Care Programme

A national programme to address variation in wound care services has published an evaluation report this week.

NHS England’s National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP), supported by the Health Innovation Network, has demonstrated greater healing rates, a lower recurrence rate and a strong economic case for adopting dedicated services.

 The evaluation showed that:

  • 52% of leg ulcers healed at 0-12 weeks, greatly exceeding the baseline – with an overall healing rate of 84% at 52 weeks for all lower limb wounds.
  • 14% recurrence rate for leg ulceration – significantly lower than the implementation case assumption.
  • 6 benefit-cost ratio based on outcomes achieved, suggesting a strong economic case for adoption of dedicated lower limb wound care services

In the East Midlands, the recommendations were piloted by Lincolnshire Community Health Services, with support from Health Innovation East Midlands, to transform the pathway for housebound (non-diabetic) patients with lower leg wounds.

The new pathway includes an in-depth initial assessment by specifically trained staff at their home. These patients now have access to evidenced based treatments earlier, resulting in quicker healing, improved mobility and better quality of life.

Almost 20% of patients are being healed within twelve weeks from the initial assessment, despite some having had wounds for over eighteen months prior to the new pathway. By implementing the programme the team have saved up to 240 hours of clinical time, a huge amount for such a small team.

The project has been shortlisted for the Community Care Initiative of the Year award at this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards which recognises safety, culture and positive experience in patient care.

Rich McBain, Senior Improvement Lead at HIEM said: “We’re excited to have been shortlisted for the award. With HIEM’s support, the Lincolnshire team has changed the way they deliver care to housebound patients in the coastal area of Skegness and Mablethorpe, which has an elderly and infirm demographic.  The new service will help more patients to be seen more quickly by the team and it is now being rolled out to other areas of Lincolnshire.”

Find out more NWSCP website