Meet mascot Oozie the Wound this Wound Awareness Week

Bob was in his 50s, quite tall, had type 2 diabetes and limited feeling in his feet. So while he was in hospital, he didn't realise that a sore had formed from his foot rubbing against the frame at the end of the bed.

That "sore" became a chronic wound, which resulted in him needing major surgery. It cost him his mobility and a lot of money.

Jenna Allen from country Victoria also knows the trauma of a wound that didn't heal. She was bitten by a redback spider nearly a decade ago, which resulted in infections, multiple surgeries, a skin graft, countless medical appointments and thousands of dollars.

Inventor of "spray-on skin" and 2005 Australian of the Year Professor Fiona Wood, is leading Wound Awareness Week 2022 (August 15-21) to highlight solutions to Australia's hidden epidemic of chronic wounds.

"Over 420,000 Australians suffer chronic wounds each year," she said.

"Chronic wounds cause pain, infections, amputations and even death. However, many can be healed with the right help from the right healthcare professional at the right time."

Professor Wood said the average patient faced $4000 out of pocket costs every year - around $340 every month. Because the costs of chronic wounds are not covered by Medicare, patients are forced to choose between treatments such as dressings and paying their everyday bills.

While chronic wounds can affect anyone at any time, most patients are over 65 and the massive out-of-pocket costs mean many patients living on a pension or low income simply cannot afford treatment, resulting in worsening health and anxiety.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Chronic wounds also cost Australia's health and aged care budgets more than $3 billion annually, said Professor Wood.

Forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars to save her arm from amputation, Jenna Allen is now being treated by health peak Wounds Australia chairwoman and leading wound care nurse Hayley Ryan, and her wound is finally beginning to heal.

Ms Ryan is passionate about getting public and medical recognition for the massive health crisis that chronic wounds presents. She wants the issue made a top health priority in Australia.

Wounds Australia has built a plan to solve many of the problems uncovered by the Aged Care Royal Commission and Medicare Benefits Scheme Review.

"Wounds Australia's 11 Point Plan is a blueprint for the Federal Government to save hundreds of millions of dollars and prevent thousands needing medical treatment each year," Ms Ryan said.

The plan includes:

"Chronic wounds are a massive problem for Australia's health and aged care systems, but thankfully, the solution is bleeding obvious," Ms Ryan said.

Wounds Awareness Week seeks to drive national policy change, raise public awareness of risks, warning signs and treatments and enhance the skills of health and aged care workers.

Wounds Australia has introduced a new national mascot Oozie T. Wound and a awareness raising initiative, the BIG Oozie Bake Off.

Information on chronic wounds, Wound Awareness Week and the 11 Point Plan is available at woundsaustralia.com.au.

*Not his real name.