Quality of life and leg ulcers: will NHS reform address patient need?

The present Government has made much of its commitment to gaining patients' views on the health services they receive. Qualitative studies of patients with leg ulcers have highlighted the fact that patients feel healthcare professionals do not always empathize with their plight and sometimes appear to lack the skills to help them. Quality of life in chronic wound care has, thus far, eluded definition but strenuous efforts are being made to quantify the impact that issues such as pain, isolation and frustration can have on leg ulcer patients. If healthcare professionals are able to demonstrate empathy with patients they may be able to maximize the cooperation needed for the management of ulcers. By reflecting on gaps in their knowledge and becoming more assertive in their demands for appropriate training, nurses can improve the outlook for patients' quality of life.