In partnership with the WHRU, the first Clinical Nurse Specialist in Wound Healing was appointed in 1998 in the University Hospital of Wales with a further appointment in Llandough Hospital in 1999. The two inpatient Clinical Nurse Specialists are currently employed by Cardiff and Vale UHB. The major priority of these Clinical Nurse Specialists is the maintenance of the UHB’s Prevention and Treatment Policy for Pressure Ulcers and the management of all inpatient referrals to Professor Harding.
As part of the UHB’s Prevention and Treatment Policy for Pressure Ulcers an inclusive contract between bed manufacturers and the NHS was introduced in 1999. This initiative was developed as a result of cooperation between the UHB and WHRU. This partnership clearly demonstrates the benefits afforded to the UHB of specialist support and won the Chairman's Quality Award in 2003 and later the prestigious Health Service Journal Award in September 2003.
Referrals to the Inpatient service in UHW, Llandough and 4 other outlying hospitals continue to grow with advice sought on all types of wounds. Ward rounds are currently conducted by the Clinical Nurse Specialists on a daily basis Monday through Thursday.
Referrals are accepted on an open system and can be made via answer phone, radio pager or via email.
The types of wounds referred include:
The staff of the WHRU maintain a close working relationship with all the Clinical Nurse Specialists in Wound Care through regular meetings such as the Safety and Quality Meeting, Wound Healing Meeting and Professional Advisory Group Meeting.