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About Us |
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millions of South Africans, the aging process, diabetes,
trauma, complications of surgery and other conditions may lead to
chronic, non-healing wounds. These include venous ulcers, pressure
sores, ischaemic ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and poorly healing
wounds in compromised patients (diabetes, steroid dependency). In
some cases, these wounds can take weeks, months or even years to
heal fully, at considerable expense, dramatically affecting quality
of life. These wounds may tax the skill of the practitioner and
drain society of valuable man-hours while accruing unnecessary
expense.
Recognising the need for expert wound management as well as
maintaining contact with the latest academic developments in the
field, Advanced Wound Care Services (AWCS) has been established.
Background and Credentials
AWCS is the brainchild of Professor Alan Widgerow. Prof Widgerow is
on the staff and Executive Committee of the Dept of Plastic Surgery,
University of the Witwatersrand, and is a recognized expert in wound
healing. He is the author of two books (one on wound care), numerous
international publications, Past President of the Association of
Plastic Surgeons of Southern Africa and Examiner of Plastic Surgical
final for the College of Medicine and National Universities. Prof
Widgerow now resides in the USA and is doing research.
He is also on the Executive Committee of WHASA (Wound Healing
Association of Southern Africa); African representative on WUWHS
(World Union of Wound Healing Societies) and newly appointed editor
in chief of Wound Healing Southern Africa, a peer reviewed journal
on the subject.
On request of WHASA Prof Widgerow has also researched and authored a
‘white paper’ on positioning Wound Care in the Southern Africa
context and guidelines on reimbursement issues. This has been
submitted to the Board of Health Care Funders and HPCSA.
Over the past few years Professor Widgerow and his team have devised
AWCS operations manuals, thoroughly structured sister training
courses, established preferred materials/dressing listings and
developed working relationships with medical insurers, all in all
ensuring good practice standards for this business.
What AWCS Does
AWCS provide effective treatment for a wide range of
difficult-to-treat wounds in dedicated treatment centers,
conveniently situated within hospital environments.
Staffed by highly trained wound care specialists, AWCS centres set
the standard for best-practice in wound management for both
outpatients and in-patients.
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provide: |
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State-of-the-art, academically
anchored wound care treatment
centres |
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Expert, cost effective (medical
aid tariffs) treatment
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Effective clinical management of
complex wound problems
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Advice and instructions on
preventative care |
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Rapidly growing recognition of
AWCS amongst professionals and
consumers alike
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Established core values
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Clinical excellence |
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Effective treatment |
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Compassion |
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Summary and Conclusion
The groundwork with respect to establishing Advance
Wound Care centres in South Africa has been done. A
clear format exists, which now allows AWCS to extend the
provision of its services to more people, in more
locations, throughout the country.
The benefits too are clear. For patients, for referring
doctors, for AWCS and its hospitals partners, the
roll-out of these centres provides a unique alignment of
clinical, community and commercial interests.
Our commitment to continue to develop the ability of
AWCS centres to deliver clinical excellence within a
patient-centred environment will ensure that AWCS adds
value to both to the range of services available and
profile of our partner hospitals. |
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The AWCS Story So Far.
Recognising a major gap in clinical care, Professor Alan
Widgerow established a specialised Wound Care Clinic at
Linksfield Hospital approximately 10 years ago. The
Clinic was/is run by highly qualified Wound Care Sister,
Ann Levenberg, but it wasn’t until 2006 that Advanced
Wound Care Services (AWCS) came into being. More
recently the team has been joined by commercial and
legal advisors who are helping further professionalise
and expand the AWCS concept.
AWCS now runs Linksfield, Krugersdorp, N17 in Springs,
Sunward Park – Boksburg, N1 City in the Cape, Bellville-
Louis Leipoldt in the Cape, and Cape Gate at the
Mediclinic. |
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Our Mission
‘We aim to establish a national network of AWCS
centers, manned by highly trained staff with access
to all appropriate diagnostic aids, specialist
referral capabilities and the most up to date wound
dressings. Our centres will aim to provide all South
Africans with the most advanced Wound Care
facilities available, as well as a platform for
ongoing research and development into new Wound Care
treatments and technology’ |
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