Abstracts 2008 - 08

Pauline Beldon 
Clinical Nurse Specialist Tissue Viability
Epsom - St.Helier NHS Trust

Pauline worked in the NHS for 34 years, the last 12 as a Tissue Viability Nurse.  She is a member of the board of trustees of a new charity called the “Wound Care Alliance UK”.  This charity was amalgamated from the previous Wound Care Society and the Tissue Viability Nurses Association.

ABSTRACT

The Impact of Pain on Leg Ulcer Management.

The management/non-management of pain has a significant impact on the concordant relationship between patient and practitioner.  Too often the practitioner’s primary objective is healing of a venous leg ulcer.  However this may be at odds with the patients, who initially desire relief from pain which is affecting their daily lives.  This may lead to the patient being labelled as non-compliant and poor healing.

The specialist leg ulcer clinic provides a comprehensive assessment of the patient, including pain assessment.  The management of pain leads to forming a therapeutic relationship and good patient compliance with treatment.