This blog comes from Jess, a Journalism student at Southampton University who attended the Legs Matter Roadshow in Manchester last December and really enjoyed the experience 😃
About Jess
I am a first year English with Creative Writing student at the University of Southampton, and I attended the Legs Matter Roadshow as a journalist to report on the events during the day. I am interested in the field of journalism and was kindly given the opportunity to be at the Legs Matter Roadshow in Didsbury, Manchester to gain some valuable work experience.
What’s the Legs Matter Roadshow about?
The day began with a welcome talk on the organisation as a whole; what it strives to achieve, and why its cause is important for improving the delivery of healthcare.
The whole premise was based on the hidden harm within healthcare due to a lack of awareness and knowledge on the subject, specifically how to manage lower limb conditions effectively. This includes the prevention and treatment of venous leg ulceration, aligning with published guidance by the National Wound Care Strategy Programme. The Legs Matter campaign aims to change that schema.
The attendees consisted of keen podiatrists and nurses from both NHS and private practices, who wanted to learn more about lower limb care. Following the welcome talk, there was a ‘Raise the Alarm on Harm’ slideshow with information on the exact reason as to why Legs Matter; this helped to integrate and motivate the attendees into seeking a change in healthcare. This was then followed with a slideshow on the anatomy and physiology of the lower limb circulatory system, which was then built on further in the afternoon discussing the use of compression therapy in patients with heart failure.
Cementing the learning
In the afternoon, attendees participated in practical exercises. They were split into two groups: one group learnt how to accurately select and measure for compression garments (provided by Essity), and the other group how to undertake an ABPI vascular assessment (provided by Huntleigh). The groups then switched so that all attendees could partake in both practical sessions. The idea was for nurses and podiatrists to take this information back to their clinics or students, so that the skills and knowledge can be shared and practised by them and others healthcare professionals. The overall engagement in the practical exercises was good, most people were eager to learn the new skills provided at the event.
A great event
Overall, the event was insightful and educative and, I think, successfully met its aims. A Podiatrist and Professor at the University of Salford, who attended the event said:
I am excited to share the information I have learnt with my students at the University and incorporate into the course going forward.
To sum up the general idea of the Legs Matter Roadshow is a quote from Joanne Casey, Co-Chair of Legs Matter, Podiatrist and Senior Research Assistant at the University of Southampton, who spoke on what the day meant to her, “Legs Matter is really about empowering the patient voice”.
