To mark Wounds Awareness Week 2021 (Agust 23 - 29), peak body Wounds Australia has launched an 11 point plan to help solve Australia's hidden epidemic of chronic wounds.
Wounds Awareness Week ambassador Professor Fiona Wood presented the plan to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt saying the plan was a blueprint that could be implemented simply and quickly and would save hundreds of millions of dollars and prevent over 100,000 people needing medical treatment each year.
"Chronic wounds are Australia's hidden epidemic," Professor Wood said. "Each year over $3 billion is spent on the treatment of more than 420,000 people.
"That's why Wounds Australia has built a plan that will slash out-of-pocket costs and take the pressure of hospitals."
"It will also dramatically improve the skills of healthcare professionals and help the Federal Government deliver on its commitment made to older Australians when the Aged Care Royal Commission's Report was released earlier this year."
The plan includes:
- Allocating a dedicated MBS item to wound care
- Subsidising wound products for people at risk of venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and over 65s
- A public health campaign to alert people to warning signs and risk factors
- Wound care training for primary health care and aged care workforces, particularly in rural and remote areas
- The mapping of care pathways for chronic wound care
- A study to determine incidence, financial impacts, specific pressures on the aged care and health care systems, and complications faced by patients
- Making Wounds Australia the primary resource for achieving and adopting best practice wound care
- Implementing a model of collaboration between hospital-based and private practice wound care experts
- Wound care units in aged care and healthcare tertiary courses including Medicine and Nursing degrees
- The appointment of Wounds Australia to formally work with government in the design and delivery of wound care units in tertiary courses
- The reimbursement of education and training costs for the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries home support, home care and residential aged care providers.
"The solution to chronic wounds is bleeding obvious," Professor Wood said. "The Government should jump at the chance to embrace Wounds Australia's 11-Point Plan, which has the goal of actually spending less and treating fewer people.
"In addition to reducing costs and patient numbers we will detail how chronic wounds damage mental health and stop people from working, studying and enjoying the lifestyle others take for granted.
"Expensive and complicated reforms are not needed. By working with Wounds Australia, straightforward modifications to existing policies and programs will deliver the relief desperately needed by patients and governments alike," said Professor Wood said.
- 1800-870-855 WoundsAustralia.com.au