London, Great Britain -- On Monday, May 12 health care staff, patients and political officials gathered for the ribbon-cutting of a new integrated health care service center in Mayday University Hospital in London for people with diabetes, vascular conditions and those needing specialist wound care. 

The new center, based in the refurbished Fairfield wards, will provide a high standard of wound care for complex wounds and diabetic feet from a local specialist team.

In addition to the current facilities, the British National Healthcare Service (NHS) Trust will spend approximately $2,000,000 refurbishing the facility to provide:

•Twenty-bed diabetes ward

•Twenty-bed vascular surgery ward

•Four  negative pressure isolation rooms for serious infections

•Vascular ultrasound facility

•One-stop clinic for rapid assessment of wound problems

•Vascular physiotherapy facility

•Training, research and development

The official ceremony included keynote remarks by David Armstrong, DPM, PhD, Professor of Surgery at the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and International Wound Care Ambassador.

Dr. Armstrong explained to the 100 guests how a multidisciplinary team working together can prevent an amputation. 

“It takes a team to prevent an amputation, and podiatrists, vascular surgeons, nurses, educators and diabetologists, among others, can work together to make a real difference,” said Dr. Armstrong. 

Chief Executive Officer Helen Walley a former vascular nurse, explained how the center is a successful example of a special initiative of a joint group of health care professionals who are committed to improving patient care.  

Lead consultant vascular surgeon Dr. Stella Vig, MD, says the new center will be fully operational this summer and will provide treatment and support for people with complex wounds both in and out of hospital, giving them rapid access to health care and medical experts when they need it.  

Several thousand patients each year are expected to be served by this new facility.

Contact:

Walt Ulbricht

Executive Director, Marketing and Communications

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

847-578-8848 (o) 330-651-1476 (c)

walter.ulbricht@rosalindfranklin.edu

Life in Discovery

About Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is a national leader in interprofessional medical and healthcare education, comprised of the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Rosalind Franklin University recently received approval for its new doctoral program in Interprofessional Healthcare Studies – the first in Illinois – and will launch a new master in science program in Psychology Clinical Counseling in fall 2008.

There are more than 15,000 RFUMS graduates in the United States and worldwide