A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)'s Centre for Asian Nursing Studies (CANS), the Wound Healing Society of Singapore (WHSS) and Zuellig Pharma to launch a Wound Care Programme to promote excellence in wound care and management in Singapore and the region.

Based on the Woundexpert ICW programme by German certification body Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW), this wound care programme is co-organised by CANS and WHSS, and led by ICW-certified trainers Dr Chew Khong Yik, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Singapore General Hospital and Ms Diane Eng, Nurse Clinician at TTSH, with support from an international pool of wound care experts.

The programme covers topics such as management of wound infection, coordination of care for patients with chronic wounds, and multidisciplinary approaches to wound management. There will also be two days of observational clinical attachments.

The ICW certifies wound care professionals and their hospitals and clinics as wound management trainers and centres in their respective countries. Over 30,000 healthcare professionals have been certified by the ICW across Europe.

In the treatment of wounds, the goal is to accelerate the wound healing process towards full wound closure and promote the well-being of patients. Ageing populations and the rise of non-infectious chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia have been contributing to the growing prevalence of chronic wounds in Singapore, i.e. wounds that last more than eight weeks and with an underlying cause. If not seen to properly, infection and other complications can set in, affecting the patient's healing.

The management of chronic wounds is multifaceted and complex. As such, different specialities may adopt various approaches in treating these difficult problems. With the rise in chronic wounds, there is a need for greater education and training for healthcare professionals in the treatment of such wounds, in order to deliver consistent and continuous care and management.

The Wound Care Programme will be launched officially in October 2018.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editor's Note:

To apply for becoming a contributor of en-CPhI.cn,

welcome to send your CV and sample works to us,

Email: Julia.Zhang@ubmsinoexpo.com.