The NHS spends £8.3 billion a year treating chronic wounds on an estimated 3.8 million people, according to the recently updated study evaluating the “Burden of Wounds” to the NHS.  Costs have increased by 48% in the five years since the study was first published and the overwhelming majority of this burgeoning demand, around 80% of the caseload, impacts on community healthcare.

 

Pressure ulcers are the most commonly reported patient harm in the UK with 1,700 to 2,00 patients per month developing a pressure ulcer. Pressure ulcers cause significant patient harm including pain, distress and isolation and are known to increase hospital length of stay.

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This session will focusses on managing the burden of wounds by focusing on prevention, and how technology and digitisation will enable a prevention focus.​