Global collaboration in wound healing

The International Wound Management Research Collaboration has been formed with the signing of an international collaborative agreement between the Wound Management Innovation Cooperative Research Centre (WMI CRC) in Australia and the Welsh Wound Innovation Initiative.

Understanding and caring for acute and chronic wounds is a worldwide challenge. Chronic wounds are painful and debilitating and place a significant burden on healthcare systems.

The new collaboration links the two national wound healing initiatives and will aim to progress scientific and clinical research as well as education in this area.

“This world-first collaboration will initially focus on two important outcomes: an international postgraduate student exchange program and incorporating the Australian and Welsh Wound Registries to establish the International Registry of Wounds,” Dr Ian Griffiths, CEO of the WMI CRC, said in a statement.

The student exchange program is designed to increase collaboration within the global wound research community. The program will allow higher degree students who have completed their studies to travel internationally and collaborate with wound care researchers and practitioners around the world.

The International Registry of Wounds will collect information on wounds that will enable researchers to better understand the statistics of chronic wounds.

The WMI CRC was established in 2010 with funding from the Australian Government and in-kind support from participating organisations. The CRC has the aim of improving wound healing and the management of wounds through integrated and collaborative research into innovative wound care tools, systems and technologies.

The Welsh Wound Innovation Centre is a centre of excellence funded by the Welsh Government. Headed by CEO and medical director Professor Keith Harding, it focuses on the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic wounds as well as ensuring maintenance of skin health.