Pressure Ulcer and Lower Leg Wound Care
Download (PDF 386.41 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Norfolk was commissioned by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust to carry out a research project to gather feedback on peoples’ experiences of pressure ulcers and lower leg wounds. They conducted interviews with 7 people.
There were mixed experiences, with some participants reporting that they have a decrease in mobility because of pressure ulcers and lower leg wounds. However, some people felt this did not impact their level of physical activity.
Most participants said their mental health was negatively affected and that they are less able to socialise with friends. Most were no longer in employment so there is no effect on their work life.
One common issue mentioned by participants was poor communication between health care professionals and patients, leaving patients feeling like they are not involved in their own care. This ties in with some participants having a lack of knowledge about pressure ulcers. Overall, most people they spoke to had negative experiences with services regarding the treatment and care of their pressure ulcers.
The report concludes with recommendations to improve the treatment and care of pressure ulcers and lower leg wounds, including increasing the availability of knowledge about this topic, improving communication between patients and health care professionals, and improving the training of staff for treatment.