The Minister of Health in Tasmania, Australia has begun supporting a campaign advocating best practice in wound management.

Michelle O'Byrne, Tasmanian Minister of Health met with the Australian Wound Management Association's President, Dr Bill McGuiness, on 30 January 2012 to be briefed on how a lack of wound management skills can affect the health system.

The campaign calls for the Austrailan government to subsidise compression bandages and stocking for the island.

'Wounds can take several months and in some severe cases years to heal,' Michelle O'Byrne said. 'Up to 70% cent of the Department of Health's community nursing time is spent on wound care and it's the second most frequently billed item in general practice.'

To read Michelle O'Byrne's press release, click here.

Image: Hospital, Tasmania c. 1950. Credit: Miss Chicken on Flickr.