ConvaTec looks to support UK wound care through sector deal

Wound care specialist ConvaTec has welcomed the UK government's Sector Deal for wound care and set out how it plans to support the country’s industry going forward.

The new sector deal was announced last week. Through collaboration between the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSN) and the NHS, the deal aims to improve innovation adoption, reduce variation and improve patient outcomes in wound care treatment. 

Through the Sector Deal, ConvaTec has been working with the Association of British HealthTech Industries, Health Care Providers and UK Academia, as part of a broader consortium across the healthcare sector, to identify ways to improve patient outcomes and maximise financial efficiency in wound care diagnosis and treatment. This includes the use of new digital clinical decision support tools to aid health professionals and patients, thus helping to reduce variation in treatment and ensure timely and appropriate care.

ConvaTec’s contribution will be part of an investment of £10 million over three years in UK based wound R&D and academia. The company’s global research and development is focused in Deeside, Wales, and it will partner with NHS Health Providers and UK universities to pilot improvements in patient care.

Going forward, the focus of ConvaTec’s investment will be in enhancing wound provision by supporting improved diagnostics and assessment, developing validated clinical pathways, ensuring greater consistency of care and providing accurate and timely data to help reduce overall management costs while improving clinical outcomes.

“We are delighted that the Life Sciences Sector Deal 2 has included wound care as a focus,” said Una Adderley, national wound care strategy programme director, AHSN Network. “Industry and innovation are important in the emerging National Wound Care Strategy Programme and we welcome this opportunity for closer collaborative working to improve care for patients with wounds.”

Simon Whitfield, ConvaTec’s vice president and UK general manager, added: “We are proud to be contributing to the Wound Care Sector Deal, which brings key stakeholders across the NHS, government and industry together to reduce variation in wound assessments and deliver better outcomes for patients and healthcare professionals. Our investment demonstrates ConvaTec’s support for the deal and illustrates its commitment to improving outcomes and value for patients across the UK.”