Benefits for Patients

The value of the ‘club’ concept is evident in the happy, welcoming, uninhibited atmosphere that characterises the clinic. An ethnographic study of patients’ views identified positive attitudes and a strong sense of ownership in ‘their’ club. Non-compliance to treatment has been virtually eliminated and evidence of greater healing rates has been illustrated through many patients whose long-standing ulcers have healed or greatly improved as a direct result of this change in approach. Patients’ willingness to attend for systematic ‘well leg’ checks and ongoing health education has dramatically reduced the incidence of recurrence.