Legs Matter

I have been part of the Legs Matter coalition (representing the Tissue Viability Society) since its inception in 2018 and feel very privileged to be working alongside such a fantastic group of people who are passionate about improving care for people with lower limb and foot problems. Legs Matter, governed by the Tissue Viability Society, is totally not for profit and has representation from the British Lymphology Society, Accelerate CIC, The Society of Vascular Nurses, FDUK, the College of Podiatry, the Leg Club Foundation and the Leg Ulcer Forum. We came together to campaign for better public awareness of lower limb and foot conditions and for improved care for those suffering with these conditions. We have a number of patient partners who sit equally alongside us as a coalition and who have shaped so much of our decision making due to sharing their personal experiences.

The Ongoing funding of our campaign has been achieved by generating sponsorship from our corporate partners. Working collaboratively with Industry has been really positive and their role is essential to help promote the objectives of the campaign.

Our website legsmatter.org has been a phenomenal success for us and has become an important platform for both patients and their family and friends as well as Health Care Professionals in accessing information about lower limb and foot conditions.

This year (2020) we have turned up the heat on our campaign to improve care for patients with leg and foot conditions and we are urging people to “Get Loud” and challenge the current status quo.

The 2020 awareness week has a patient/ public focus. We need people to be better informed and to challenge care that is not proving effective.

I truly believe there has been a significant shift in the lower limb ‘agenda’ and things will start to improve. NHS England’s National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP) includes a lower limb workstream which will shortly be rolling out evidence based guidance on managing lower limb and foot wounds and the implementation of the lower limb wound CQUIN (Insert number) will help address inconsistences of leg ulcer care by NHS community health providers.

Legs Matter will continue to provide an independent voice that will not be silenced until we are satisfied that patients get the care that they deserve.