Wounds Australia 5 Point Plan to Solve Australia's Chronic Wound Epidemic
OUR VISION:
Stop wounds becoming chronic, preventing thousands from entering the health system each year
Empower Australians to understand the wound warning signs and where to get help
Upskill Australia's health and aged care workforce to prevent and heal chronic wounds
Introduction by Professor Fiona Wood AO
Board Director, Wounds Australia
Wounds Australia is proud to present our 5 Point Plan for solving Australia's hidden epidemic of chronic wounds.
The figures speak for themselves:
- Each year, 450,000 Australians have a chronic wound.
- Chronic wounds cost Australia's health and aged care budgets over $6.6 billion each year.
- Each person with a chronic wound spends on average over $4,000 a year in out of pocket costs.
- With most people with chronic wounds aged over 65, chronic wounds can place unbearable pressure on pensioners and retirees.
A chronic wound affects every part of a person's life. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Our 5 Point Plan
Wounds Australia has a vision for quality cost-effective wound care that puts people at the heart of our health and aged care systems.
We can solve chronic wounds by investing in evidence based prevention, assessment, treatment and education.
Our Plan will:
- reduce the incidence and intensity of chronic wounds, saving lives and limbs
- deliver significant savings to Australia's health and aged care budgets
- prevent thousands from entering the health system each year
- improve the skills of health and aged care workforces, particularly in rural and regional areas.
We can't afford to miss a moment
This Plan must be a priority for our nation's health and aged care sectors. Without urgent reform, chronic wounds will continue to burden the physical and emotional health of our country. We look forward to working closely with state and federal governments to turn this ambition into action.