| Summary: | Background: Chronic wound care represents a considerable burden to patients and the healthcare system, however often goes unrecognised. Through public policy the government directly impacts public health and the health of individuals with the aim of protecting people from potential health risk factors. Healthcare need assessments are of great importance to public policy makers since they provide a status quo of the health needs of a patient population, at a national or local level. Some authors argue that healthcare needs assessments should be legal requirements of public policy.
Aim: To explore the influence of public policy on healthcare using wound care as a case study and to research wound care needs of a local population in Nottinghamshire.
Methods: The study adopted a mixed method study design using a concurrent triangulation approach. Conceptually, the study utilised the Healthcare Needs Assessment framework. The qualitative study consisted of qualitative interviews with wound care commissioners, providers and healthcare professionals. The quantitative study involved a point prevalence study of wounds on a community nursing caseload in two Clinical Commissioning Group areas in Nottinghamshire. Data were analysed using constant comparative method and descriptive statistics.
Findings: In total, 1,462 patients were assessed as part of the point prevalence study. The quantitative study shows that prevalence of wounds as well as associated conditions is increasing. Thirteen qualitative interviews explored how public policy impacts on community services. The qualitative study demonstrates that community nursing and tissue viability services are facing a lot of challenges caused by changing demographics and the New Public Management reform.
Conclusion: Current public policies mean that healthcare providers are required to provide ‘more for less’ while increasing the quality of care. The influence of New Public Management reforms significantly affects community and tissue viability nurses causing a decreased satisfaction and increased workload.
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