The hidden epidemic of chronic wounds in Australia will be tackled through new initiatives funded with more than $3 million from the government. It is estimated that approximately 450,000 Australians currently live with a chronic wound.

Wounds Australia and the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) will each receive grants for innovative new projects to improve understanding of wound care among health professionals and the broader community.

Wounds Australia will receive $2 million to deliver a national education and awareness campaign on chronic wound prevention and treatment. The campaign will aim to improve public awareness and patient knowledge of how to care for wounds to give them the best chance to heal.

On the other hand, ACN will receive $1.073 million for scholarships to encourage and assist nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers to undertake formal training, to improve wound management in primary care settings.

The grant will provide at least 120 scholarships each year for advanced training short courses for nurses, 5 scholarships for graduate certificates in wound care and one scholarship for a Masters of Wound Care course.

The grants are part of the government’s $47.8 million Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme. While the scheme is targeted to people with diabetes aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for First Nations people, the grants will help people of all ages at risk of chronic wounds.