28 Aug

Community-based wound care receives a boost

This article was originally published by Metro South Health on Tuesday 28 August.

Formal photo of Brisbane South PHN Board Chair, Dr Ian Williams, Anglicare's Annabelle Smith and Michelle Gibb and Metro South Health Board Director, Helen Darch.

Anglicare Southern Queensland is about to embark on an innovative pilot project providing community-based wound care and education thanks to a grant from Metro South Health (MSH) and Brisbane South PHN (BSPHN).

The Wound Clinic Pilot Project will establish a wound clinic in the community to deliver evidence-based health care and education for care providers, clients and their families to better manage and prevent this very complex health problem.

Anglicare Southern Queensland A/Director of Services, Sue Montgomery, said the innovative project aims to ensure clients can access the right care, in the right setting, at the right time to improve client and health service outcomes.

“The Wound Clinic Pilot Project will meet an unmet need in the community for a vulnerable client population,” Ms Montgomery said.

“At the end of the one-year pilot, we hope to demonstrate that the community-based model of care is cost-effective, replicable, sustainable and improves both client and health service outcomes.

“We are thrilled to be awarded the grant and look forward to working with Metro South Health and Brisbane South PHN to improve the health of our community.”

The Boards of Metro South Health and Brisbane South PHN collaborated to establish the Living Healthier Lives Community Grants program to support local initiatives that improve health outcomes for communities in the Brisbane south region.

Metro South Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Ayre said the grants aim to build partnerships with community organisations and foster a shared goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the community.

“Chronic wounds can severely reduce quality of life, capacity to work and increase social isolation,” Dr Ayre said.

“Without adequate treatment, recurrent hospitalisations for infections and other preventable complications such as amputation may occur.

“In addition to improving health outcomes for those with wounds, I am excited to see how the clinic can help keep our patients and the community well and out of hospital,” Dr Ayre said.

The wound clinic will be based at 6/3-9 University Drive, Meadowbrook. Referrals can be made via 1800 440 404 or [email protected].