Stop the Pressure Week 2024: Nurses empower patient recovery from leg ulcers
This Stop the Pressure Week 2024, we’re proud to highlight the inspiring journey of Paul Weldon, aged 70.
Paul has been receiving exceptional care from our dedicated Tissue Viability team in Barnet since 2016 and is now on the road to recovery. Their story is a testament to the incredible difference specialist care can make. Let’s continue raising awareness about the importance of pressure care and support for recovery.
"I have had a history of chronic leg ulcer in the past and I have been receiving care from the Tissue Viability Service in Barnet since 2016.
I had to wait for a long time to get back into the care of the tissue viability services not just from the service but from other services the GP practice nurse and the walk-in centre not communicating well.
On the day, I had my assessment I turned up for clinic at Finchley Memorial Hospital and straight away I was sent to Barnet hospital as I had an infection in my legs I had blood tests and make sure I didn’t have sepsis I needed some kind of control on my health before they could do any bandages on my legs for that I am very grateful.
The staff are very friendly and all very knowledgeable I feel cared for and very safe in their care and feel I am on the road to recovery I can see a huge difference in by legs and the horrible wounds that I have.
I really do not know where I would be with the out service and other people using the service, I know the NHS has a duty of care, but I can honestly say that I feel like a private patient with the dedicated and care I receive.
The nurses talk to me not just about my treatment, but we have a laugh and talk about our life which is nice as it takes my mine off my leg wounds as I do feel very anxious and suffer from depression from time to time very worried about infection as I have had so many.
Covid didn’t help me with my wounds, and I have had to self-care in the past, as the clinic had to close so I am very happy that I can attend again and put Covid behind me.
I am well on the way of recovery and also that I am healing well so much that I can now go on a holiday something I booked but didn’t think I wouldn’t be able to do but the nurses will provided compression wraps and dressings for me to self-care I feel free and back in control I feel absolutely great and cant wait to go away as its been four years post Covid.
I would like to say thank you to all my "Angels" at the Tissue Viability Service as that is what I call them and that is what they are. Their hard work is always greeted with a warm smille which keeps me going until my next appointment the following week.
They have always treated me with the greatest of respect and kindness and gave me advice along the way, and no words of thanks I can say to them all will ever be enough."
If you’ve received outstanding care for pressure ulcers from our Tissue Viability nurses and would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. Email: clcht.comms@nhs.net
