by mary james trustee of the lindsay leg club foundation [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
WHY SET UP A LEG CLUB
BACKGROUNDDistrict nurses visit patients in their own
homes, who are supposed to be ‘housebound’Many patients are very isolated Approx. 60% of caseload is wound care. i.e.
Acute surgical wounds, pressure ulcers, trauma wounds, leg ulcers and ‘leaking’ legs
Travel can have a significant impact on District nurses’ time
AIMS OF LEG CLUBSDeliver research-based wound management in
a friendly non-threatening, social environment.Provide an environment for staff development
& learningProvide continuity of care & a coordinated
approach to its deliveryAdopt a simple, flexible ‘drop in’ approachMinimise recurrence by ‘well leg’ checksAchieve concordance with treatment through
informed beliefs & peer support
WHY SET UP A LEG CLUB? 1.Patient BenefitsMotivation & empowermentReintegrated into the community. Less
isolated. Peer supportEnhanced quality of life - improved healing
rates (Clark 2010), eliminates ‘sick role’ behaviour, improved morale & reduced pain.
Well leg checks reduce recurrence.
WHY SET UP A LEG CLUB?2. Healthcare Team BenefitsLeg Clubs encompass all of the Government’s
recent initiatives.(DOH 2010)Ensure appropriate skill mix & peer supportPromote team workingPromote education of nursesChance to deliver health educationProvide wound care experience for students
WHY SET UP A LEG CLUB?3. Benefits to referrersReferrers can be assured of high quality care delivery because:Clinical practice is supported by formal
pathwaysWritten guidelines relating to infection
control & risk analysis.Routine data collection & analysisRegular audit
WHY SET UP A LEG CLUB?4. Resource benefitsResearch has demonstrated substantial
savings for the NHS (Gordon et al 2006, Hampton et al 2005,Lindsay 2010)
Reduction in travelling time & costsProvide an opportunity to enhance the
productivity of junior grades e.g. HCAs
REASONS PEOPLE HAVE FOR NOT SETTING UP A LEG CLUB
Fear of taking on too much work Is our knowledge of wound care good enough?Will we be judged by our colleagues?Will the Leg Club be a success? We have been trained to nurse not set up new ventures We still have to do our usual work as well as setting up
a Leg Club ‘We only visit housebound’ patients. If they can walk, they should go to the practice nurse.
NOT OUR JOB’ !!!
OTHER FEARSHow do we find a venue?How will we find the rent?How can we buy the equipmentWhere do we find equipment such as folding
dressing trolleys?Where will we find the volunteers?Transport?Where will we find the time to do everything?
ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
HOW DO WE SET UP A LEG CLUB?Ensure your nursing team are on board!Visit other Leg Clubs to see how they are runTalk to your Manager and CCGTalk to GPsPresent case for setting up a new Leg Club to
Ellie (template available from Ellie)Form steering group of nurses & Volunteers.
Devise a constitution & define roles.Set up bank account
PRACTICALITIESFind suitable non-medical premisesGenerate funds & raise public awarenessExplore other sources of funding e.g. grants Invite infection control, & manual handling
advisors to inspect premises.Write extra risk assessments (There are
standard Leg Club risk assessments)Purchase equipmentNurses to receive training by Ellie on
documentation & Leg Club procedures
GET SUPPORTFrom Ellie, TVN & Lindsay Leg Club
Foundation TrusteeCCGYour ManagerYour GPsOther Leg ClubsCompany reps –to visit, give education,
raffle prizes and cakes
FINANCE Treasurer should be a volunteer, not a NHS employee There should be a yearly AGM & committee
meetings as required Approach the CCG to ask for some or all funding.
Fundraising: Internally - weekly raffle/cake sale/Christmas hamper
draw/100 club/2nd hand book sale. Externally – Local charities/Rotary/Lions/Round
Table/Supermarkets
HOW CAN INDUSTRY PARTNERS CONTRIBUTE?Education
Publicity help for new clubs
Visiting the clubs to talk to members and staff and offer support
Sponsoring Leg Club nurses to go to the Leg Club conference annually
DIVE IN!
CONCLUSIONLeg Clubs offer a valid alternative to both leg
ulcer clinics & home visits.They are founded on evidence-based protocolsThey incorporate a ‘well leg’ aspect to maintain
healthy legsThey involve the communityDespite the positive aspects, it can be daunting
to set up a Leg Club – outside the comfort zoneWith support it can be done!
THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS?
REFERENCESDepartment of Health (2010) Equity & Excellence: Liberating
the NHS. The Stationery Office. LondonGordon L, Edwards H, Courtney M, Finlayson P, Shuter E,
Lindsay E 92006) A cost-effective analysis of two community models of care for patients with venous leg ulcers. Journal of Wound Care 15(8) 348-53
Hampton S, Lindsay E (2005) Empowering patients to take control of leg ulcer treatment through individualised management, Journal of Wound Care 14(5). 238-40
Lindsay E (2010) Leg Clubs: a clinically & cost-effective approach to lower limb management. British Journal of Community Nursing 15(6,Suppl). 16-23
Clark M (2020) Social model for lower limb care: The Lindsay Leg Model. Presentation at EWMA Conference. Geneva, Switzerland