A much-needed chronic and complex wound and stoma care clinic has been launched by Far West Local Health District, following a successful 20-week trial which provided patients with vital wound and stoma care, management and education.
The clinic will operate one-day a week from Broken Hill Hospital for all Far West LHD out-patients, with remote health services across the district able to access expert care via telehealth appointments.
Led by FWLHD Clinical Nurse Consultant Megan Jordan, the clinic provides specialised nursing care for patients with chronic and complex wounds and stomas, using a person-centred approach.
Chronic wounds can be difficult to heal or manage, however with the right assessment and involvement from a multidisciplinary healthcare team, tailored management can vastly improve patient outcomes.
Feedback from patients who have attended the clinic has been positive, with many reporting feeling better informed about their individual care needs, as well as receiving good education in wound care management.
The clinic accepts referrals for chronic or complex wounds from healthcare providers across FWLHD, including General Practitioners (GPs) and other local healthcare settings within the region. Individuals with a stoma (colostomy, urostomy or ileostomy), can also be referred via FWLHD services, GPs, tertiary hospitals or self-referral.
The Chronic and Complex Wound and Stoma Clinic service utilises a shared model of care approach, meaning the patient, their family and their GP are all involved in the wound or stoma care plan. Additionally, patients in the clinic can be supported in a shared model of care with other outpatient wound care services across FWLHD. For example, shared care with the Broken Hill Nurse Led Wound Clinic or Community Nursing.
