Wound care in the community – promoting independence
New community clinics are promoting independence and reducing pressure on acute healthcare services for patients with lower limb wounds.
Since their launch in November 2024, the clinics have been treating patients referred because their wounds have not shown signs of healing; (a wound is categorised as “non-healing” if it has not started to heal within two weeks or has not completely healed within six weeks.)
The clinics - in four locations in east and south Birmingham - are run by a partnership between GPs and Birmingham Community Healthcare’s tissue viability and district nursing teams.
They give GPs an additional referral pathway for patients who needs specialist wound care and represent a further example of the development of the Birmingham and Solihull Community Care Collaborative.
The clinics run five days a week at Ann Marie Howes and two days a week at West Heath Hospital.
Tissue viability specialist nurse Anita Charters (pictured) said: “We’re very pleased with the results we’ve been able to achieve since the clinics started.
“The staff have a really positive approach to wound care, and we aim to transfer that “can do” attitude to our patients.
“We assess patients very quickly, put a treatment plan in place and work through it systematically, typically within a six-week timeframe. Promoting and teaching self-care is a key part of that, empowering patients to live as independently as possible and take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of exacerbations.”
“The clinic treats patients from 17 years and up - we are seeing a larger number of young people with leg ulcers, so it’s great to be able to help people to get quickly back to their normal life activities, however active they may be.”
Irfan’s story
Irfan Hussain (pictured) says the wound care team’s ability to give him a positive mindset about his recovery has been just as important as their treatment of a leg ulcer that developed due to a blood clot following a broken ankle sustained playing football.
“The wounds started clearing up really quickly when I started the compression treatment, “said the 40-year-old of Alum Rock.
“The team at Ann Marie Howes has been amazing – it hasn’t mattered which nurse I’ve seen, they’ve all made me feel much more positive about my healing.
“I visit once a week for six weeks and, during that time, they’ve been giving me loads of good advice on self-care so that I can take control of preventing it happening again.
“It’s a really good idea to offer this in a community location. It’s more convenient than having to go to an acute hospital - even for just an outpatient appointment, never mind having to be admitted. The acute hospitals are under a lot of pressure, so it makes a lot of sense for them and for patients.”
Colin’s story
The very first patient treated in the wound care clinic was Colin Taylor, who has experienced venous leg ulcers for several years.
With the support of health professionals, the wounds have been controlled for long periods; but when Colin experienced an exacerbation last year, his GP referred him for treatment by specialist tissue viability nurses at Ann Marie Howes Clinic.
On his first visit, Colin was put in compression bandages and his wounds began healing very quickly. The team also supported his continuing wellbeing by teaching him to self-manage his leg using a compression wrap system, promoting independence and self- care.
“The team was excellent, really, it was such a relief,” said Colin.
“I went to the clinic twice a week for six weeks and the wounds healed up quickly. Then they transferred me to the care of the district nursing team to carry on monitoring the wounds and changing the bandages.
“I’ve had a small wound on my ankle which hasn’t quite cleared up, which has been frustrating; so they’ve agreed to see me again. It’s an impressive service.
“It’s reassuring to know that you can get this sort of specialist care close to your own home.”