Preventative approach to wound management
The Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA) has elected Associate Professor Bill McGuiness, as its new President at their National Conference in Perth.
The new AWMA President described a preventative approach to wound management as critical to influence the national healthcare agenda and promote recognition of chronic wounds:
“If we can convince Government that by spending money in a certain way then they save a lot more money in the long run, we are probably able to influence policy rather than saying that we’re imposing a large cost on the healthcare dollar”
Assoc Prof. McGuiness plans to engage with other healthcare stakeholders; work with industry; develop a national database on wound management; establish a national office and lobby Federal Government for better provision for chronic wound patients.
Assoc Prof. McGuiness sees the importance is a national profile with local involvement, and a key area is a national database on chronic wounds, a serious condition in Australia that affects over 270,000 people, saying:
“We need a minimum data set that we’re prepared to collect so we know what the wounds are”
Assoc Prof McGuiness’ appointment represents a mix of research, teaching and practice in wound management from the AWMA membership. McGuiness holds an academic appointment at La Trobe University, is a clinical nurse at Alfred Hospital, as well as providing an out reach service for aged care patients.
Assoc Prof. McGuiness succeeds Assoc Prof. Michael Woodward who was instrumental in AWMA’s national lobbying for wound awareness, describing his predecessor:
“Michael is a very hard act to follow, he has introduced many great schemes and I will be calling on his mentorship in the future”.
The AWMA AGM also elected South Australian wound specialist Sue Templeton as Vice President, and West Australian Nurse Practitioner Pam Morey as Treasurer.
