Trauma Resources

Individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders often present with complex, chronic wounds exacerbated by compromised immune systems and poor nutrition. Traditional healthcare models frequently fail to address their unique needs, leading to fragmented care and suboptimal outcomes. This paper advocates for the integration of wound care services into familiar, community-based settings, emphasising the role of traumainformed, nurse-led initiatives in improving engagement and health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Many people who both attend and work in our services carry the impact of trauma. Their trauma state can be exacerbated by how they are spoken to and treated. It is a sad and shocking reality that people accessing health and care systems can find the experience worsening their condition when they are seeking help and healing.

Experiences of emotional trauma can lead to poorer physical health. Trauma can originate from childhood experiences, domestic violence, being a refugee, or military service. Very often people who are homeless have experienced some kind of psychological trauma earlier in their life. Hence, it is extremely important that healthcare professionals have some knowledge of this process, if they are to offer holistic care to people.

John Robinson gives a brief overview of his ongoing research projects into whether patients complain of pain on removal of catheters.

John Robinson RGN RMN, NDN (Cert) is a District Charge Nurse, Catheter Specialist, Bay Community NHS Trust, Morecambe.

Article accepted for publication January 2000

Lindsey McKirdy discusses the modern management of minor burns.

Lindsey McKirdy RGN MSc, BA(Hons) is a Clinical Nurse Specialist Burns & Plastic Surgery, South Manchester University Hospital Trust.
Article accepted for publication July 2001.