Implementing pathways to enhance wound healing globally

The biggest barrier to effective wound care in South Africa is its non-recognition as a specialty qualification by the regulatory body (South African Nursing Council). Resultantly, the general public is not aware that they have the right to access quality, cost effective and specialized care.

The transformation of service delivery in the South African public healthcare sector is based on eight guiding principles, aiming to put people first through the implementation of acceptable service levels and quality – similarly, public wound care services should be provided economically and efficiently, based on the value-for-money principle.

By changing the view of the regulatory body, coupled to raising awareness amongst management and leadership decision makers, wound care will be established as a professional specialty. Employees will be encouraged to obtain advanced wound care qualifications, while the resulting empowerment of practitioners, will drive the implementation of pathways to facilitate wound healing.