Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the Wound Healing Society Singapore and Zuellig Pharma team up to advance wound care expertise in Singapore

SINGAPORE,Aug. 6,2018 -- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday 3 August by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)'s Centre for Asian Nursing Studies (CANS),the Wound Healing Society of Singapore (WHSS) and Zuellig Pharma to launch a Wound Care Programme to promote excellence in wound care and management in Singapore and the region.

(L-R) Frederick Fong,Zuellig Pharma Regional Marketing Director,George Eassey,Zuellig Pharma SVP Commercial Solutions,Dr Chew Khong Yik,President of the Wound Healing Society of Singapore,Assoc Prof Tan Bien Keem,Dr Eugene Fidelis Soh,CEO Tan Tock Seng Hospital,Yong Keng Kwang,Chief Nurse Tan Tock Seng Hospital

(L-R) Dr Chew Khong Yik,Frederick Fong,Chief Nurse Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Members from Zuellig Pharma,TTSH and WHSS

Based on the Woundexpert ICW programme by German certification body Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW),this wound care programme is co-organised by CANS and WHSS,and led by ICW-certified trainers Dr Chew Khong Yik,Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Singapore General Hospital and Ms Diane Eng,Nurse Clinician at TTSH,with support from an international pool of wound care experts. The programme covers topics such as management of wound infection,coordination of care for patients with chronic wounds,and multidisciplinary approaches to wound management. There will also be two days of observational clinical attachments.

The ICW certifies wound care professionals and their hospitals and clinics as wound management trainers and centres in their respective countries. Over 30,000 healthcare professionals have been certified by the ICW across Europe.

In the treatment of wounds,the goal is to accelerate the wound healing process towards full wound closure and promote the well-being of patients. Ageing populations and the rise of non-infectious chronic diseases such as hypertension,diabetes,and hyperlipidaemia have been contributing to the growing prevalence of chronic wounds in Singapore,i.e. wounds that last more than eight weeks and with an underlying cause. If not seen to properly,infection and other complications can set in,affecting the patient's healing.

The management of chronic wounds is multifaceted and complex. As such,different specialities may adopt various approaches in treating these difficult problems. With the rise in chronic wounds,there is a need for greater education and training for healthcare professionals in the treatment of such wounds,in order to deliver consistent and continuous care and management.

Mr Yong Keng Kwang,Chief Nurse of TTSH and Director of CANS,said,"CANS aims to be a platform for transforming nursing practice in Asia,and we're excited to give regional and local nurses the opportunity to form a Community of Practice in advancing wound management especially targeted at an Asian patient base. TTSH sees more than 7,000 wound cases a year,and on top of their daily work,our four wound nurse specialists have been conducting research studies in order to advance wound care for our patients."

Dr Chew Khong Yik,who also serves as President of the WHSS,commented,"WHSS represents all healthcare professionals and allied health professionals who are passionate about wound care in Singapore. To this end,the new ICW standard aims to provide a common platform for all wound care practitioners to come together and contribute in the education of chronic wound care,to raise public awareness and to help combat the increasingly common problem of chronic wounds."

George Eassey,SVP Zuellig Pharma Commercial Solutions commented,"Supporting the training of medical professionals and making innovative solutions available in the treatment of wounds are critical to improving access to quality healthcare. We are proud and very eager to bring necessary attention to wound care and help patients accelerate their recovery through this partnership."

The Wound Care Programme will be launched officially in October 2018.

About Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Tan Tock Seng Hospital is one of Singapore's largest multi-disciplinary hospitals,with more than 170 years of pioneering medical care and development. The Hospital has 43 clinical disciplines and three institutes that are spearheading care,research and innovations in geriatric medicine,infectious diseases,and ophthalmology. Powered by 9,000 healthcare staff,TTSH sees over 2,700 patients at its specialist clinics and some 450 patients at its emergency department every day.

TTSH is part of the National Healthcare Group,providing holistic and integrated patient care. With a strong quality culture steeped in patient safety,TTSH constantly challenges itself to provide faster,better,cheapter and safer care for patients. To achieve this,the Hospital keeps abreast and believes in investing in its staff,facilities,medical technology and system improvements.

More information is available at www.ttsh.com.sg

About the Centre for Asian Nursing Studies

The Centre for Asian Nursing Studies seeks to become the first dedicated Asian centre to strengthen nursing's contribution where regional and domestic partners can better collaborate to grow competencies,transform practice,and promote thought leadership through nursing education,research,and innovation. More information is available at www.ttsh.com.sg/nursing/cans

About Wound Healing Society Singapore

The Wound Healing Society of Singapore seeks to represent all doctors,nurses and allied health professionals involved in wound care. As an association,we form partnerships with our counterparts in Asia and beyond. We strive to promote active collaboration among all practitioners in tackling the increasing problem of chronic wounds by providing a platform to share ideas on the epidemiology,prevention and management strategies.

About Zuellig Pharma

Zuellig Pharma is one of the largest healthcare services group in Asia. We provide world-class distribution,digital and commercial services to support the growing healthcare needs in this region. The company was started almost a hundred years ago and has grown to become a US$10 billion business covering 13 markets in Asia with over 10,000 employees. Our purpose is to make healthcare more accessible. Our people serve over 320,000 medical facilities in Asia and we work with over 1000 clients including the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world.

More recently,we launched our Zuellig Health Solutions Innovation centre to develop new services and address some pressing healthcare needs in Asia. Since then,our teams have been focused on creating data,digital and disease management solutions,supporting patients with chronic conditions and helping payors manage healthcare costs.

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