SETU’s Department of Nursing and Health Care recently hosted a Wound Management Masterclass on the prevention and management of leg ulcers.
Over 120 healthcare professionals from across the southeast attended, including colleagues from pharmacy and allied health, reflecting a broad commitment to improving patient outcomes.
Raising awareness and building competency in the care of leg ulcers
Leg ulcers pose a significant burden for affected individuals, healthcare services, and society. They impact quality of life, require intensive clinical care, and contribute to escalating healthcare costs. Raising awareness and building competencies in this area is vital.
The masterclass was opened by Louise Skerritt, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Operational Lead at ICPOP Wicklow. Louise spoke to attendees about the initial findings of her PhD research exploring Community Wound Care Provision. She also provided a session on the anatomy and physiology of leg ulcers, providing the foundation for the day's learning.
Niamh McLain then delivered clinical updates on leg ulcer aetiologies and venous leg ulcers, with Martina Rafter speaking on referral pathways. Both sessions highlighted the importance of informed, coordinated care.
Karena Whelan and Lenora Fitzgerald provided focused sessions on skin care and compression therapy, offering practical advice that attendees could apply in their own settings.
Workshops on bandaging and garment application
Masterclass participants engaged in hands-on workshops featuring compression bandaging and garment application. These sessions, led by industry experts, were a practical highlight of the event and provided valuable clinical information to the participants.
The masterclass was more than an education session, it contributed to building a shared understanding of the clinical, emotional, and societal impact of leg ulcers and clinical care. It encouraged collaboration across professions and reinforced the value of continued learning.
A panel discussion
A panel discussion rounded off the masterclass, where the speakers came together to answer questions and reflect on shared challenges and solutions.
This interactive session gave attendees the chance to deepen their understanding and hear multiple perspectives on complex case management.
Feedback from attendees captured the importance of the day:
“This was a practical and insightful day”.
“The sessions were expertly delivered and the workshops integrated the morning sessions in a practical way.”
“Such educational initiatives are essential to keeping leg ulcer care a priority.”
“This is exactly the type of educational initiative we need to keep leg ulcer care on the health care agenda.”
SETU and the Department of Nursing and Health Care proudly support events that unite professionals to share expertise, inspire collaboration, and advance healthcare.
