The hidden harm crisis in leg ulcer management – round table discussion

Date: Monday 12 June 2023
Published by: Legs Matter
Authors: Alison Hopkins, Leanne Atkin, Naseer Ahmed, Manj Gohel, Zoe Larmour and Crystal Oldman
Access: Open

Watch our expert panel discussion on how the underuse of therapeutic compression in community services is harming people – and what we must do to tackle this.

The event is chaired by Alison Hopkins MBE RN and, with leading experts drawn from the worlds of community nursing, vascular surgery, and the patient community, it’s a lively and fascinating debate.

Speakers

• Mr Naseer Ahmed, Vascular Surgeon, Manchester University Foundation Trust
• Mr Manj Gohel, Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon, Cambridge University Hospitals
• Zoe Larmour, Service Manager, Specialist Services, Community and ICC Care, Group for North Cumbria Integrated Care
• Dr Crystal Oldman, Chief Executive, QNI
• Alison Hopkins MBE (Chair), CEO, Accelerate
• Dr Leanne Atkin, Vascular Nurse Consultant/Research Fellow, Mid Yorks NHS Trust/University of Huddersfield

Background

The focus of the panel is on the hidden harm crisis in leg ulcer management and the inadequate use of evidenced based compression therapy in the community. Around 50% of wound care activity every week is focussed on lower leg wounds within community nursing teams; this is less where there is an established leg ulcer service and a lymphoedema service.

If this was used in primary care, so much harm and distress could be prevented. A consistent and supported approach to using informed and well-documented evidence and guidance would create a step change in community care, reducing healthcare costs and improving the working lives of nurses and the well-being of patients. Healing rates would be starkly different and stop us using the phrase of chronic leg ulcers.

Who’s it suitable for?

• People living with a leg ulcer
• Healthcare professionals – generalists
• Healthcare professionals – specialists TVNs, Surgeons