The Chronic Wound Service provides treatment to patients in the community with chronic or complex wounds. We aim to provide a tailored management plan guided by the patient and their carer. We work as a team and use the most current research to guide our service.
A chronic wound is persistent broken skin present for more than four weeks.
The Chronic Wound Service team can help patients, their families and health care professionals. We provide specialised:
assessment
diagnosis
advice
treatment
education
support
Services Offered
The Chronic Wound Service consists of an interdisciplinary team which operates as a hospital based clinic.
The specialised clinicians include:
Specialist Doctor - Wound
Clinical Nurse Consultants - Wound
Can collaborate with other clinicians or programs as required
The service is based on a holistic integrative approach. Patients/carers are equal parties and together we all agree upon goals, outcomes and responsibilities.
The Chronic Wound Service is a specialty wound assessment and management service which provides a wound management plan and ongoing review as required in conjunction with community dressing services. It is not a wound dressing service.
Who can use this Service?
People who are aged 16 years or older, usually
Persistent broken skin present for longer than four weeks
Live in council areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Shire of Melton and Wyndham.
Who is unable to use this Service?
Uncomplicated acute wounds (present <4 weeks) i.e. recent surgical wound already managed by Surgical Unit
Patients being managed by another Wound Service outside Western Health
Patients that are medically unstable or with severe infection/cellulitis that require GP or Emergency Department intervention.
Diabetic foot wound – referrals must be faxed to the Diabetic Foot Service (Western Health) Fax: 8345 6856.
Patients in residential aged care must be seen by the specialist wound consultant associated with their residential aged care facility prior to referral. Please contact the service for requests for referral for patients from residential aged care.
Referral Requirements
The Chronic Wound Service referral form.
Information and investigations needed include:
Brief overview of wound history and current treatment plan (essential) - including other specialists/services involved in wound management
Medical/Surgical history (essential)
List of current medications (essential)
Recent blood tests
X-ray results
Other relevant imaging results (duplex scans, MRI, angiogram etc)
Wound swab results
Biopsy results
Clinic Location/Times
Sunshine Hospital Acute Services Building, 1F – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Service cost
Free service to Medicare eligible patients. Patients will not be charged for service consultation or dressing products used at the clinic. Patients/carers are financially responsible for the products and equipment required between appointments.
Networking, integration and relationships
The Chronic Wound Service involves, as appropriate, other health care professionals in the ongoing care and management of patients. Collaboration occurs with key services which include:
Podiatry and Diabetic Foot Service
Vascular Surgical Unit
Plastic Surgical Unit
Dermatology
Western Health Wound Consultant
Western@home
Hospital In The Home
Emergency Department
Chronic and complex care
Bolton Clarke or other District Nursing Services
General Practitioners and practice nurses
Other Private Wound Consultants
Other private specialists
Community and private podiatry
Contact Us
Chronic Wound Service
Sunshine Hospital
176 Furlong Road St Albans VIC 3021
Ph: 8345 1355
Fax: 8345 0777
Email: [email protected]
