SESLHD Representation at Wounds Australia Conference 2024

Australia’s national wound care body, Wounds Australia (WA), held its national conference this October at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC).  

In what was our biggest representation at the conference, eight SESLHD staff members attended, with four speaking, presenting a poster, or both.  

“There were fantastic local and international speakers, with presentations ranging from AI in wound management to compassionate wound care,” said Matthew Dutton, Skin Integrity Coordinator, SESLHD. 

“I found the conference very informative, and it allowed for extensive discussion and debate amongst the delegates. The networking opportunities were fantastic. We ‘woundies’ love to get together and have a chat, exchanging knowledge and ideas.”   

This year’s conference theme ‘Champions of Change’, saw many of the keynote addresses and breakout sessions focused on person-centred and compassionate care.  This theme resonates well with SESLHD’s Nursing and Midwifery Strategy for Transforming Person-Centred Cultures 2024-2029, adding extra value for our attendees. 

The conference also celebrated WA’s 30th anniversary as an organisation. 

This year’s conference also celebrated WA’s 30th anniversary as an organisation. As part of the celebrations, it was announced that WA was granted $2 million to deliver a national education and awareness campaign on chronic wound prevention and treatment.  

This campaign will support the new federally funded chronic wound consumable scheme (CWCS) commencing in May 2025. This funding  will cover the costs for wound dressings for older people (65 years and older), or First Nations people (50 and over), who have diabetes and a chronic wound.  

For more information on the CWCS and associated advanced training scholarships please see their website.