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MedMat®, the new sterile wound change area, will be shown at Wounds UK 2008     Forthcoming Events

Global interest in wound care is key to sharing best practice. I admit to writing this at least in part as a result of my recent trip to Australia. I am beginning this editorial in Dubai, almost home and having consumed my own weight in Airplane food. I met with many Australian nurses and surgeons over the past week, during what was a whistle stop tour covering all the major cities in Australia. I met with enthusiasm and frustration in equal measure from clinicians who feel that patients are likely to be let down by the system of health care and not the people carrying out the care. I suppose that in one context at least it was reassuring to know that every health care system has problems and this is not unique to our shores. As a large country, Australia has a number of state related initiatives which are aimed at improving wound care provision for patients, with the overarching guidance coming from the Australian Wound Management Association. One of the growth areas is topical negative pressure, with companies introducing new products on a regular basis, there is a need to gain experience with the new techniques involved and also in seeing beyond the product towards the support offered by the companies. The nurses, doctors, podiatrists and surgeons of Australia all see patients with similar problems to those in the UK, open abdominal wounds are on the increase, burns and trauma also figure highly as areas where wound care is essential, as well as the chronic wound problems such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot disease. I have to say at this point that I met some of the nurses involved in running Lyndsay Leg Clubs in Australia, and it is nice to see how this model of care transferred so well to another part of the world. I believe that we should be having more dialogue with other parts of the world to share the knowledge and practical skills which can be used to improve the quality of care and quality of life for our patients. On Tuesday I met with a burns surgeon in Adelaide who treated some of the victims of the Bali bombings and who is doing some pioneering work with engineered skin substitutes, as an aside he happens to be from Manchester. In most areas I visited they were creating guidelines and protocols for care, some of which would be welcome here and others which we have previously developed which could easily transfer to these areas. The internet has created the ideal tool with which to share this information and so I urge everyone to use this to spread good practice, not just within the UK but to go further afield, who knows, we may all learn something new. John Timmons Editor

Useful References      Latest references

MedMat®, the new sterile wound change area, will be shown at Wounds UK 2008 This unique product from Sunlight Clinical Solutions provides the clinician with the appropriate surfaces to apply aseptic non-touch techniques during the different stages of the procedure, separating the 'dirty' from the 'clean' elements of the process. For more information click here to download Keep reading for: Forthcoming events Optimising Wound Care Vacancies at Smith&Nephew Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format Forthcoming Events Wounds UK, Continence UK and Dermatology UK Monday 10th of November sees the start of the Wounds UK conference in conjunction with Continence UK and Dermatology UK following. Last years' event was enjoyed by a large number of delegates who were very positive about the three events running concurrently, with the option to visit sessions of interest at all the events. For information and booking go to the Wounds UK website Also view "What you need to know about Wounds UK Harrogate Conference 2008" by clicking here . Click here to view the poster for "Is there an economic solution to effectively manage bacteria in wounds beyond silver?" in association with Covidien. End of Life Care The Essence of Nursing conference is being held on November 28th 2008 at Olympia, London. For more information click here. FDUK conference in December Click here to download further information.   Keep reading for: Optimising Wound Care Vacancies at Smith&Nephew Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format Optimising Wound Care: Best Practice Statement A new Best Practice Statement Optimising Wound Care has been launched. The document is applicable at both a clinical and managerial level, to aid in the delivery of a high standard of wound care across all settings. To read more click here Keep reading for: Vacancies at Smith&Nephew Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format Vacancies at Smith & Nephew Every day, more and more chronic wounds can be treated thanks to advanced wound dressings from Smith & Nephew. They are looking for talented people to join their team. Click here for more information. Keep reading for: Useful References Download this newsletter in PDF format   References - From the journals Bertone, M.; Dini, V.; Romanelli, P.; Rizzello, F.; Romanelli, M.(2008) Original Research Objective Analysis of Heterologous Collagen Efficacy in Hard-To-Heal Venous Leg Ulcers. WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB 9 pp. 245-249 Bradbury, S.; Ivins, N.; Harding, K.; Tumer, A.(2008) Measuring outcomes with complex patients: an audit of the effect of Actiform Cool on painful wounds. Wounds UK Vol 4 Issue 3 pp. 22-34 Dini, V.; Salibra, F.; Brilli, C.; Romanelli, M.(2008) Original Research Instrumental Evaluation of the Protective Effects of a Barrier Film on Surrounding Skin in Chronic Wounds. WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB 9 pp. 254-257 Veraldi, S.; Tortorano, A.M.; Lunardon, L.; Persico, M.C.; Francia, C.(2008) Original Research Mycologic Evaluations in Chronic Leg Ulcers. WOUNDS VOL 20; NUMB pp. 250-253 Waring, M.; Rippon, M.; Bielfeldt, S.; Brandt, M (2008) Cell attachment to adhesive dressings: qualitative and quantitative analysis. Wounds UK Vol 4 Issue 3 pp. 35-47   Download this newsletter in PDF format