First Middle East Wound Care Academy starts today in Dubai; 25 of the region's top nurses participate in week-long programme led by UK experts
28 May 2007 (Dubai, UAE): *The treatment of chronic, hard to heal wounds is a significant challenge for the medical - and especially the nursing - profession, which often has to deal with the problems. These range from burns and post operative wounds, to leg ulcers, pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, which are increasingly common in a region plagued by diabetes. Chronic wounds are often difficult to heal, impacting on the quality of life of patients and can be a cost burden to healthcare providers. Acute wounds can be life threatening with scarring and infection potential issues. The need to improve wound care has brought together 25 of the region's top nurses, from hospitals across the Middle East, who are participating in the region's first 'Wound Care Academy' in Dubai this week (May 28-June 1).
The first Middle East Wound Care Academy is led by experts from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, and Smith & Nephew. The Academy is an educational initiative fully sponsored by Smith & Nephew FZE, with a focus on the practical, clinical and theoretical aspects of Advanced Wound Management. The comprehensive, one-week course is designed to enhance the knowledge levels of wound management principles and practices amongst the local nursing staff. The Academy has brought together 25 nurses from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman, all of whom have a desire to improve wound care in their communities, and will return to their hospitals to cascade the training to their colleagues. The nurses will also benefit from the Academy as part of their Continued Professional/Medical Education.
The Wound Care Academy is led by Madeleine Flanagan, a registered nurse and a Principal Lecturer at the Faculty of Health & Human Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, where she developed one of the first undergraduate wound management programmes for nurses in the UK.
She was editorial advisor for the Journal of Wound Care from 1991-2001 and was Chair of the European Wound Management Association Curriculum Development Group from 2000-2005. Madeleine is supported by Sara Rowan, International Clinical Specialist for Smith & Nephew.
The participating nurses were selected through an application process and one of the most important criteria was the commitment of the nurse to sharing her new knowledge with her colleagues, on returning to her hospital. Ultimately, the programme should result in improved patient care in the region.
The programme is restricted to 25 participants to allow each nurse to benefit from the intensive combination of theoretical and practical course work. All the participants sit a comprehensive written and practical exam covering all the topics, on the last day of the course.
The University of Hertfordshire will mark the exam, with each successful student receiving a Certificate of Wound Management from the University of Hertfordshire.
Bringing this level of educational programme to the Middle East for the first time is part of Smith & Nephew's commitment to providing clinicians with comprehensive, tailored education and training designed to enhance the level of knowledge of wound management principles and practice amongst nurses in the Middle East.
-Ends-
About the Wound Care Academy
The Smith & Nephew Wound Care Academy has had over 135 nurses from both the private and provisional hospital markets since its launch in 1999.
Many graduates have started wound care clinics within their hospitals based on the knowledge and confidence they've received from attending the academic course.
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew provides a full portfolio of products to its customers and supports its range of products with comprehensive learning and education programmes for medical staff and patients. Each year, Smith & Nephew trains more than 150,000 healthcare professionals with a full range of education programmes. Smith & Nephew has the biggest profile of wound care products in the industry and the growth and sustainability of the wound care business is dependent on the advanced products that are being introduced (Allevyn, Acticoat Range).
Issued on behalf of Smith & Nephew by WPR.
Media contact:
Jonathan Walsh
WPR
Dubai
Tel: 050 4588610
Email: jon@wprme.com
© Press Release 2007
