More chronic wounds for older Australians in rural areas

Older Australians in rural and regional areas are burdened by a higher prevalence of chronic wounds – due to less access to healthcare services than people in the cities – and by greater difficulty in accessing modern wound care dressings that assist in wound healing.

Chronic wounds are commonly related to injury to the skin, conditions such as diabetes (diabetic foot ulcers), and immobility (pressure ulcers or bed sores) where persistent localised pressure restricts blood flow. This usually occurs in the elderly and in others immobilised for long periods such as those in wheel chairs.

At present there is no funding or subsidy for modern wound care technologies such as dressings and bandage systems outside of the hospital setting except for veterans eligible for subsidy under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

This means that people in nursing homes or at home often don’t receive the highest level of care resulting in longer healing times, ongoing pain and suffering, and further social isolation and disadvantage.

Unfortunately, many people with chronic wounds are also financially disadvantaged and therefore unable to afford modern wound care technology once they leave hospital.

The Medical Industry Association of Australia has called for the Commonwealth Government to subsidise wound care technology for all Australians.