Doctors warn of hidden epidemic in Australia, leaving patients with lifelong injuries

Doctors are warning of a new hidden epidemic in Australia that is causing some patients lifelong injuries. The 'She'll be right' attitude is leading many to let simple wounds go unattended with dire consequences.

 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
When her Nan Shirley was diagnosed with terminal mouth cancer,
Isabella Fitzgibbon put her life on hold to look after her.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
The pressure wounds won't hidden for a little while because
Nan didn't want to add another thing to my plate.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
She knew how to care for her NaN's cancer, but
didn't realize other chronic wounds were developing because she was
in bed more often. Chronic wounds are now aspiraling epidemic
in Australia, with four hundred and fifty thousand people suffering
from them every year. They vary from open wounds including bedsaws,

(00:36):
burns and minor cuts, to ulcers and blood clots.

Speaker 3 (00:40):
This can lead to chronic pain, infections, local infection, systemic infection,
and what we don't want to see is amputations.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
New research by Wounds Australia reveals half of us can't
identify a chronic wound and one in four patients would
wait a week or more to.

Speaker 4 (00:58):
Seek Helpride is we often have this idea, she'll be right.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
Treatment for chronic wounds now costs the health system six
and a half billion dollars annually.

Speaker 5 (01:10):
Seek help sooner, whether that be from your local doctor
or a nurse clinic or a pharmacist.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
Even I hated what she went through with her wounds,
and I hated the dignity that Nan lost.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
Georgia Bennett Murphy seven News