ABSTRACT
It is estimated that in the United Kingdom (UK) approximately 200,000 patients have a chronic wound, with an estimated cost to the National Health Service (NHS) of £2.3-3.1 billion per annum (2005-2006 prices), and this cost will potentially increase over the next 20 years due to an ageing UK population (Posnett and Franks 2008). Wound dressings account for approximately £120 million of prescribing costs in primary care in England each year (Shorney and Ousey 2011). Posnett and Franks (2008) suggested that with proper diagnosis and treatment, this cost could be reduced while ensuring quality improvement.
