New Virtual Multidisciplinary Foot Ulcer Clinic supports rural and remote health care delivery
A new inter-agency healthcare initiative is helping to deliver best practice diabetes related foot care to rural and remote communities in WA.
Healthcare teams from Boab Health Services, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) and Royal Perth Hospital recently undertook training on a new 3D measurement, imaging and documentation system is being rolled out across the Kimberley region to support multidisciplinary healthcare for monitoring and treating diabetic foot wounds.
Funding from Diabetes WA allowed Boab Health Service and KAMS to purchase this significant technology that will support multidisciplinary healthcare for diabetic foot wounds. Thanks to the ongoing multi-agency collaboration patients living in regional and remote communities can now access best practice care closer to home.
This innovative technology means that specialists and primary health service providers from across the state can now systematically collect, analyse and share accurate assessment data (including wound circumference and healing progress over time) to review diabetic foot wounds and work together to improve patient outcomes.
Dr Olufemi (Femi) Oshin, Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Director Clinical Operations, Bentley Hospital was involved in training podiatry and integrated health care team members on the use and benefits of this new technology for rural and remote communities.
“We are making good progress with diabetic foot outreach in the Kimberley region and it’s wonderful to be able to work so closely with local community services. We can now start to look at how this template of care can extend to other rural and remote regions across WA,” said Femi.
“The introduction of this new technology means that rural and remote patients that require care for diabetic foot wounds can continue to be treated in their communities for longer – with the added benefit of staying close to family and country.”
Congratulations to everyone involved in this fantastic program of work!
Boab Health Service recently shared an article on this exciting new initiative. You can read the full article on the Boab Health Service website (external site).