Stand Alone Module

Professional Development in Leg Ulcer Management

15 Credits

Duration:: 15 Weeks
Start Dates:: February
Attendance:: Thursdays on 16 Feb, 1 Mar, 15 Mar, 29 Mar, 26 Apr, 10 May, 24 May
Venue:: Uxbridge Campus
Cost:: Available on request

Key Contact:: Keith Cutting
Tel:: 01494 522 141
Email:: keith.cutting@bucks.ac.uk

Is this course suitable for me?

This short 15 credit module is suitable for registered practitioners working in any clinical environment whose role involves caring for patients with leg ulcers of varying aetiologies.application of compression bandages.

Overview

This module represents a short course for health care practitioners to study the care of patients with leg ulcers. Designed to further enhance the skills and knowledge you’ve gained to date, the module focuses on multi-factorial aspects of leg ulcer management, examining theoretical concepts and practical issues that underpin decision making in relation to caring for patients with leg ulcers. These include physiological aspects related to tissue breakdown and wound healing in the lower limb and factors which may influence this process (including infection, allergies and pain). We’ll also be developing and assessing your practical skills – particularly in the application of compression bandages.

Content

Relevant anatomy,
Physiology and pathophysiology related to tissue breakdown and wound healing and factors that may influence these processes.
Aetiology of leg ulcers,
Assessment methods and documentation.
Issues surrounding pain and infection in leg ulcers and management of these problems.
Decision making in relation to the management of leg ulcers.
Application of a variety of bandaging systems and hosiery to promote healing and prevent recurrence of leg ulcers.
Quality of life issues.
Systemic diseases affecting or contributing to leg ulceration e.g. diabetes

What will I learn?

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Analyse the physiological processes contributing to tissue breakdown and wound healing which underpin leg ulcer management.
Select appropriate techniques in order to assess the lower limb and relate theoretical principles to the effective identification of leg ulcers of differing aetiologies.
Critically evaluate leg ulcer management practices in the light of contemporary issues, guidelines and policies within the Health Service.
Critically discuss nursing strategies aimed at promoting healing and preventing complications for patients with leg ulceration.
Demonstrate critical application of the theoretical principles of compression therapy to the performance of various bandaging techniques.
Determine the role of the multidisciplinary team in the promotion of clinically effective leg ulcer management.

The 15 credits gained from this module can also be used towards a ‘Top Up’ Degree by enrolling on the BSc (Hons) Health Care Practice. In order to complete this degree you can automatically transfer these credits on enrolment within a two year period, otherwise application through the CATs Committee will apply.

Knowledge and skills framework (KSF)

This module will address elements of the following KSF’s dimensions:

Communication; Personal and people development; Heath safety and security; Service improvement; Quality, Equality and diversity; Health & well being (1 – 8)

Teaching and learning

Successful completion of the course is dependent on you passing both a written assignment on a relevant topic and a practical assessment in compression bandaging and Doppler assessment

Biographies

Dr. Hildegard Charles Clinical Nurse Specialist: PhD, BSc, MSc, RGN, RSCN, NDN
Dr Hildegard Charles is an active researcher and teaches leg ulcer/wound management. She worked at St. Charles Hospital in London, managing an extremely busy leg ulcer clinic. Hildegard has published articles around aspects in leg ulcer management and their consequences for the patient, as well as presenting studies at national and international conferences.

Ellie Lindsay BSc (Hons), RN, DN Cert, Dip (HE)
Ellie Lindsay is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, with a remit to set standards, audit education and share best practice. Ellie introduced the idea of Leg Clubs for people with leg ulcers whilst working as a district nursing sister in a rural community. This innovative approach gained recognition from John Reid as an example of excellence.

Keith F.Cutting MN, RGN, RMN, Dip N (Lond) Cert Ed (FE)
Keith Cutting is a Principal Lecturer in Tissue Viability in the Faculty of Society and Health. He currently runs a short course in tissue viability and leg ulcer management, as well as tissue viability modules within the BSc (Hons) Health Care Practice and the BSc (Hons) and PG Diploma Community Healthcare degrees. Keith has been involved in tissue viability for a number of years; which includes working at the Wound Healing Research Unit in Cardiff. He has maintained clinical and research roles as well as undertaking the role of Clinical Editor for Wounds-UK Journal. Keith regularly presents at national and international conferences and his work on clinical infection criteria has been adopted by many countries in the western world.

Entry requirements

You must be a Registered 1st or 2nd Level Nurse on the appropriate part of the Professional Register, with a minimum of six months’ post registration experience and currently undertaking practice in an appropriate clinical environment.

For Level 5 study you’ll need 120 credits at Level 4 or equivalent. For Level 6 study, 120 credits

How to make an application

Please contact the Enquiries Team on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk

We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.

Mike Thomson

Student Recruitment Officer

Bucks New University

106 Oxford Road

Uxbridge

UB8 1NA

If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.

Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.

Students funded by the NHS or other employer

If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.