The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) has inaugurated a dedicated chronic and complex wound and stoma care clinic at Broken Hill Hospital in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, following a successful 20-week trial.
The clinic is set to provide crucial care, management, and education for patients with chronic wounds or stomas.
The site will be open once weekly and extend its services to all Far West LHD out-patients.
Additionally, remote health services will have access to this specialised care through telehealth appointments across the district.
NSW regional health minister Ryan Park said: “This clinic has already had many benefits, including improvements in the delivery of care, reduction in time and costs for patients, improved quality of life and reduced visits to the hospital.
“The clinic provides a much-needed setting where people with more complex or difficult-to-heal wounds can be seen and a comprehensive wound care plan can be developed in consultation with the patient and their family.”
The initiative is spearheaded by FWLHD clinical nurse consultant Megan Jordan, who emphasises a person-centred approach to nursing care.
Jordan said: “Chronic wounds can be extremely difficult to manage for instance, a patient with a slow-healing ulcer who also has diabetes may need a referral to a diabetes educator or dietician to support their wound healing.
“It’s important to take the time with each patient to develop a tailored wound care strategy that addresses their individual needs.”
Chronic wounds, known for their difficulty in healing, can see improved patient outcomes with proper assessment and a tailored management plan developed by a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
The clinic is open to referrals across the FWLHD for patients with chronic or complex wounds from healthcare providers.
This includes general practitioners and other local healthcare facilities within the region.
Moreover, individuals with a stoma such as a colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy, can seek referrals through FWLHD services, GPs, tertiary hospitals, or even self-referral.
Emphasising a collaborative approach, the clinic utilises a shared model of care.
This model involves the patient, their family, and their general practitioner in the care plan, ensuring a comprehensive support system.
Patients at the clinic can also benefit from coordinated care with other outpatient wound care services across the FWLHD, including the Broken Hill Nurse Led Wound Clinic and Community Nursing.
FWLHD Clinical Governance Director Wendy Gleeson said: “This clinic provides specialised nursing care that is person-centred and promotes coordination of care for patients with comprehensive and complex wound care needs.
“Incorporating a telehealth model care has further enhanced access to this service for patients and their carers. I am very pleased to support the establishment and continuation of this vital service to our communities.”
