Each year $3 billion is spent on wound treatment in hospitals and aged care facilities.
On any given day, about 500000 Australians could be suffering in silence because of chronic wounds.
That’s why Wound Awareness Week 2019 ambassador Professor Fiona Wood AM has declared that the financial and emotional cost of chronic wounds can no longer be ignored.
This year the WAW theme is ‘Let’s Talk about Wounds’ and Professor Wood is eager to make sure the public is doing just that.
‘‘We know many people think it’s ‘gross’ or inappropriate to talk about wounds. We hope that can change this Wound Awareness Week,’’ Professor Wood said.
‘‘Too many Australians don’t know the warning signs or the available treatments for chronic wounds.
‘‘As a result, thousands of people end up in hospital for treatments that cost millions of dollars when it could have been avoided.
‘‘The average sufferer also spends around $340 a month on things like dressings and painkillers.
‘‘If you or a family member are showing signs of a chronic wound, talk immediately to your healthcare professional.
‘‘Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, diabetes educators, and some physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians are qualified to give advice.
‘‘Ignoring a wound won’t make it go away, but talking to your healthcare provider this Wound Awareness Week will.’’
Keep an eye out for the following warning signs and take action if the wound:
•Becomes red, swollen, hot or very painful;
•Bleeds regularly;
•Becomes black or yellow;
•Has thick, yellowish fluid or an unpleasant smell; and/or
•Takes longer than a month to heal or has not decreased in size.
●For more information about Wound Awareness Week, visit www.woundaware.com.au.
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