Leg ulcer healing rates: wound care pilot shows incredible results

Chronic lower limb wounds healed more quickly and recurrence dropped substantially in an NHS trial of National Wound Care Strategy Programme recommendations

A two-year pilot of new lower limb wound treatment recommendations has shown 'encouraging' results after healing rates doubled and recurrence rates fell substantially.

The National Wound Care Strategy Programme's (NWCSP) changes to how lower limb wounds are treated included delivering care in a clinical setting where possible, offloading or casting for pressure relief, and post-healing compression therapy. The NWCSP also recommended more patients be seen by staff in dedicated chronic lower limb services.

The benefits to patients of improved wound care services could also save England’s NHS £14 billion by 2050.

Lower limb wounds trial achieved dramatically faster healing

The NWCSP recommendations were adopted by eight NHS trusts:

1. Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
2. City Healthcare Partnership.
3. Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust.
4. Kent Community Health NHS Trust
5. Livewell Southwest.
6. Manchester Foundation Trust
7. Mid and South Essex Community Collaborative.
8. Wye Valley NHS Trust.

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Some 52% of leg ulcers healed at 0-12 weeks, greatly exceeding the baseline goal of 37% at 52 weeks. All lower limb wounds showed a healing rate of 84% at 52 weeks, up from 48%. Recurrence fell from 48% to just 14%.

Reconfiguring wound care services

Skills for Health consultant Andrew Lovegrove, who worked in partnership with NWCSP and was a nurse and health visitor by background, said: ‘Wound care in England is thought to cost billions annually. This pilot demonstrates that a more considered approach to the configuration of services and workforce deployment is central to effective wound care.

• RELATED: Chronic wound care: improving record-keeping and communication

‘These incredibly encouraging results not only give confidence in the clinical recommendations of NWSCP, but also provide compelling evidence that the workforce approach adopted too will lead to improved services in the future.’

It is hoped that the pilot's recommendations could be rolled out to other NHS providers and help shape their wound care services.

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