THURSDAY, 01 OCTOBER, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community leg ulcer clinic launched

A new community leg ulcer clinic, the first of its type in Tayside and a new way to treat patients, has opened at Westgate Health Centre in Dundee.

The pilot project, part of NHS Tayside’s Steps to Better Healthcare programme of improvement work, is testing a new nurse-led model of care, staffed by community district nursing staff who have undertaken additional training to equip them to work with patients with a leg ulcer condition.

The aim of the service is to treat patients who suffer from venous leg ulcers to help them heal faster, using staff who specialise in treating these lesions, in clinics within the community. This will also improve the quality of life for people with venous leg ulcers through the delivery of clinically effective care and advice.

Initially the pilot project will accept referrals from a small group of GP practices in the west of Dundee for adults who require assessment, treatment and advice, including aftercare to minimise reoccurrence.

It is hoped to roll this out across other areas following evaluation of the pilot.

The clinics will offer a timely assessment for patients and a personalised wound management plan with improved education and advice for patients and their carers. The specialist nurses will be able to help improve healing rates and manage pain for patients, reducing the need for patients to be referred to specialist services in hospitals.

Associate Medical Director for Primary Care Michelle Watts said, “We anticipate this service will allow patients to access high quality care closer to home.

“We know that providing a full course of treatment helps prevent recurrence and by working as a multidisciplinary team we can offer a full service avoiding the need for patients to attend hospital."

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138