Posted on: 16 September 2021
More than 100 people attended our virtual conference today, focusing on the monitoring, reporting and prevention of pressure ulcers as well as the work happening across the Trust.
The conference opened with a message from CNWL’s Medical Director, Dr Cornelius Kelly, followed by an update on national developments from Jacqui Fletcher, Senior Clinical Advisor at the Stop the Pressure and National Wound Care Strategy Programmes.
We were also joined by Tissue Viability Nurse Consultants Simon Barrett and Brenda King from NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I), who took us through all things evidence and the importance of keeping good records.
CNWL patient, Jade Reynolds, relayed her lived experience - a powerful discussion around self-care and building trust with her nursing team. She said: “seeing the Tissue Viability Nurse equipped me with the knowledge and gave me confidence to manage my wound care in a flexible way. It changed my mindset from seeing my wound as an enemy. It felt empowering gaining a sense of control and purpose. We were a team working together to heal my wound. Self-care should be encouraged wherever possible.”
CNWL colleagues Rashidat Okunlola-Samuel and Jim O’Donnell discussed the importance of collaborative working in mental health units for patients admitted with pressure ulcers, and the benefits for staff when ensuring full holistic care.
The conference concluded with an interactive learning session from Simon, Brenda and the team at Coloplast Wound Care UK, which enabled participants to experience a simulated coroner’s court. With help from CNWL colleagues, the session investigated the legal implications of ineffective pressure ulcer management and took attendees through a colonial inquest scenario.
Picture shows: Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant Simon Barrett.
Director of Nursing for Goodall Division Helen Willetts and CNWL Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant Luxmi Dhoonmoon, who co-organised the event, said:
“The conference was very successful, with the intention of raising awareness and demonstrating how CNWL wants to progress in reducing harm to our patients. Pressure ulcers are the most commonly reported incident in the Trust and we want everyone to have high standards of care for pressure ulcer prevention.”