A recent research study has estimated that the annual cost of managing wounds and associated comorbidities in the NHS is £5.3 billion. This is comparable to the £5 billion spent on managing obesity in the NHS. In the UK, most wounds are managed largely in the community by GPs and more commonly by nurses. NHS Benchmarking (SIGN 2010) has highlighted that 39% of community nursing clinical time is spent in wound care, other research suggest it can be anything up to 60% 

National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP)

The purpose of the NWCSP is to scope the development of a wound care national strategy for England that focuses on improving care relating to: 

1. Pressure ulcers,
2. Lower limb ulcers, and
3. Surgical wounds. 

The strategy will be designed by working with key partners to establish the underlying clinical and economic case for change, identify the desirable improvements in patient care and describe the necessary changes and interventions required to deliver these improvements.  

The vision is to develop recommendations which support excellence in the standards of care that relate to preventing, assessing and treating people with chronic wounds to optimise healing and minimise the burden of wounds for patients, carers and health and care providers. 

The Hub chairs the Supply and Distribution workstream and sit on the Data and Information workstream, forming an integral part to this national programme. 

Regional Wound Care Programme 

The Hub hosts the East of England Tissue Viability Network and regularly meet with our local tissue viability forums. The regional programme of work is aimed at ensuring the recommendations and outputs from the NWCSP are implemented within our region. Our Integrated Care team work with STPs and ICSs to enable change and support implementation of new pathways of care, bundles of care and clinical engagement. 

Regional Wound Care Programme: Lower Limb  

The most commonly treated wounds are leg ulcers, which sit within the lower limb workstream of the NWCSP. Leg ulcers are chronic wounds that occur in the lower leg; they are distressing and painful to those who have them, prone to infection and have a negative impact upon a patient’s mobility and quality of life. The implementation of best practice venous leg ulcer pathway across the East of England is the focus area for the Hub. 

Regional Wound Care Programme: Supply and Distribution 

Wound care products can be supplied via a variety of means for our members. 

Supply Routes: 

1. NHS Supply Chain run three national framework agreements for wound care products (general wound care, advanced wound care and topical negative pressure).  NHS Supply Chain is used by mainly provider trusts; however a number of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) use NHS Supply Chain as a supply route for dressings. 
2. The Drug Tariff is currently the most common route of supply for the community sector through prescriptions raised either by community nurses, practice nurses, GPs or non-medical prescribers. 

We work closely with our members to support them in their decision making with regards to supply of wound care products. 

 

Useful links: 

• AHSN National Wound Care Strategy Programme Help and Advice
• Burden of Wounds Study
• The AHSN Network: National Wound Care Strategy Programme
• NWCSP Stakeholder Forums: register online to get involved with the National Wound Care Strategy Programme
• Nursing Times: Why we need a national wound care strategy
• Surgical Dressings Manufacturer Association