The Barnstaple Leg Club, Devon

摘要

The Barnstaple Leg Club follows the pathways set by the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation (LLCF) in that it was created to relieve suffering from leg ulcers and associated conditions through the delivery of a dedicated leg ulcer service while providing a social environment that motivates and empowers patients to take ownership of their care, alleviate their suffering and reduce the stigma attached to their condition. It also seeks to further advance education in all aspects of leg health for sufferers, carers, the general public and the healthcare professions. However, the Barnstaple Club is unique; not only is it the first of its kind in the South West, it is also the first one to be 'commissioned' in the UK. The Club provides care and support for members who were previously treated at home by community nurses (or seen by the nurses for one of the general practices in the Barnstaple Cluster, who had withdrawn from this aspect of service provision under the terms of the primary care contract) to be seen in a social environment. The success of the Club in terms of greatly improved healing rates and reduced reoccurrence rates among members compared with the average, with resulting cost savings, has led to the approach being marked for wider use.