During September and October 2025, three dedicated training days on Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) and Compression therapy have been organized across Australia — in Canberra, Adelaide, and Launceston.
These events brought together 60 committed healthcare professionals, with the aim of bridging the gap between guideline-based recommendations and real-world VLU care practices.
A painful disease
A leg ulcer is a long-lasting (chronic) sore that takes more than 2 weeks to heal. It usually develops on the inside of the leg, between the knee and the ankle.
Living with chronic ulcers can be physically, emotionally, and socially draining.
Patients often experience restricted mobility due to pain and swelling, and the appearance and smell of the wound can lead to loss of self-esteem, social withdrawal, and emotional distress — sometimes resulting in anxiety and depression.
This is why accelerating healing and improving care is so essential.
Raising awareness & informing
Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) remain one of Australia’s most persistent and costly chronic wound challenges[1], yet they are often overlooked in public health conversationsand among the most misunderstood and under-treated.
The URGO Foundation’s initiative to build confidence and strengthen clinical decision-making in wound care practice among community-based healthcare professionals – including nurses, podiatrists, and clinicians who regularly manage patients with venous leg ulcers.
Evidence-based discussions and clinical guidance were delivered to enhance understanding and assessment of venous leg ulcers.
Improving practice
The event also featured interactive workshops and live demonstrations on selecting and applying compression therapy safely and effectively.
Since poor patient adherence remains a major barrier to successful treatment, best practices were shared to help healthcare professionals engage patients in meaningful conversations — improving comfort, compliance, and healing outcomes.
A “hidden epidemic”
Venous leg ulcers are part of what Wounds Australia calls a “hidden epidemic.”
Chronic wounds affect an estimated 450,000 Australians annually, costing the healthcare system $6.6 billion each year[2].
Among them:
- Around 54,000 Australians live with VLUs, with 40 to 60% not receiving adequate compression therapy[3];
- There is no reimbursement scheme for compression therapy in Australia, and patients face an average out-of-pocket cost of $4,000 per year.
If you would like to learn more about the initiative, you can access the article published in the Journal of Vascular Nursing: Upskilling clinicians in compression therapy for leg ulcers – “Planet Compression Day” initiative – ScienceDirect
By improving the knowledge of healthcare professionals who regularly manage patients with VLUs, the URGO Foundation reaffirms its mission: enhancing healing outcomes and quality of life for patients.
2025 marks the second year of its active involvement in the Australian wound care community.
