Targetting the sore spot

QUT has opened a community outreach centre to improve healing rates and quality of life for people with chronic wounds.

A new community outreach service for people with chronic wounds has opened at Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Kelvin Grove campus.

Run by QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, the Wound Healing Community Outreach Service, which operates one day a week, aims to improve healing rates and quality of life for sufferers of chronic wounds.

One of only two wound care nurse practitioners in Queensland, Michelle Gibb said the service was open to anyone, with initial one hour consultations costing $20 for adults and $15 for pensioners.

“The service is about improving wound healing and improving quality of life by providing support and making treatment accessible to the public,” she said.

“It’s also about providing information to people about their health and what they need to do to improve their health when it comes to chronic wounds.”

Unlike many health clinics, clients do not require a referral to attend the Wound Healing Service.

“We recognise that people with wounds may slip through the gaps of the health system due to problems with accessing busy outpatient hospital clinics, poor mobility, costs associated with purchasing wound care products and services, and difficulty finding wound care expertise,” said Ms Gibb.

“To access our service all you need to do is make an appointment.”

The service is jointly funded by QUT and the Cecilia Kilkeary Foundation and the university will undertake research projects to assist the understanding and treatment of wounds.

Communication and collaboration with a patient’s doctor will be a key feature of the service.

Tags: healing,

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