This 5-day course has been developed to enable practitioners to consolidate and enhance professional competence and skill in managing patients with chronic oedema and associated skin conditions.

The course been developed in response to best practice requirements that include supervised practice and formal assessment of bandaging competency. Students will be supported by a practice supervisor who has relevant experience and skills.

You may also choose to study it as part of a longer academic award; MSc Clinical Skin Integrity & Wound Management or Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate.

This course is suitable for practitioners with a special interest in chronic oedema management who want to develop & consolidate practical skills. The course will be of interest to Community Nurses, Tissue Viability and Dermatology Nurses who are managing people with chronic oedema and associated skin conditions on a regular basis.

The assessment comprises of:

1.  Local audit of clinical practice

2. Application of compression bandaging.

This course focuses on acquisition of practical skills & management of patients with chronic oedema. Students will study a selection of topics such as:

• Prevalence and incidence of chronic oedema

• National guidelines, evidence-based practice

• Physiology of oedema formation & skin breakdown

• Risk factors & associated co-morbidities

• Aetiology of chronic oedema/skin manifestations e.g. lymphodema

• Assessment: patient & lifestyle factors investigations

• Advances in therapeutic interventions: skin care, wound care, compression therapy

• Patient centered management, documentation & outcome monitoring

• Patient Quality of Life

• Models of service delivery, referral criteria.