Friday 31 May 2019
Next week (3rd - 7th June) sees the launch of the first ever "Legs Matter Week" which aims to raise awareness of the importance of caring for our legs and feet.
During the week Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist Ellie Phillips, District Nurse Meg Lowe and Lymphoedema Clinical Nurse Specialist Carol Le Sauvage together with the assistance of the Community and Hospital Nurses will be at various locations across the island including the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Health and Well-being Annex Community Services, Nursing and Residential Homes and Beau Sejour Leisure Centre. The aim is to provide the public and staff with information, answering any questions and talking about what to look out for on your legs and feet and tips to keep them healthy.
Ellie Phillips said:
"We want to raise awareness amongst the public that legs matter and that leg care is really important. Legs keep us mobile and independent, but sometimes we forget to look after our legs and our feet but it is really important, particularly if someone is diabetic because small problems can escalate very quickly."
Islanders can speak to the team at a number of places around the island during Legs Matter Week. On Monday 3rd June the team will be at Beau Sejour from 11.00am until 3.00pm. On Wednesday 5th June there is a drop-in session at the Emma Ferbrache room at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. A further drop-in session will be held on Thursday 6th between 9.00am and 12.00pm at the Complex Wound Clinic, at the INR Clinic at Castel Hospital site. On Friday 7th chiropodist Carrie Eddie from St Sampsons Medical Centre will visit the PEH to visit the wards.
The team will also be hosting teaching sessions for community nurses and other health professionals.
The Legs Matter Campaign was inspired by the 'Stop the Pressure' campaign and was launched in April 2018 to promote good-quality care of the lower leg. The Legs Matter campaign seeks to raise awareness and understanding of conditions of the lower leg and foot to ensure timely and effective care. In particular, it seeks to make the public more aware of conditions of the lower leg and foot, the importance of seeking out the right treatment in a timely manner and what care they have the right to expect from healthcare professional.
