Leg Club Podcast

In this episode, we are delighted to be welcome our host Roland Renyi MSc. MA. BA. who is a past Chairman and Project Consultant for the Leg Club Foundation and Secretariate to World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) - a sister Society founded in Australia in 2000. WUWHS is the premier wound care professional association and it represents more than 90% of all practicing wound care specialists in the world.To learn more, please visit their website - https://wuwhs2022.org/

Roland discusses “How to be a Role Model in an Ageing Society” – a reflection of loved ones lost and the importance of remembering those people who matter to us and not to take losses in our stride. 

To be a successful Role Model, and make a difference to all people (young and old) across Society, consider these building blocks 

1. Be upstanding and considerate (of others)

2. Don't take yourself too seriously

3. Be curious (always remain fascinated)

4. Look after YOUrself (to enable you to help others)  

5. Connect (and engage with others)

If you are a member, volunteer, nurse, an industry partner or a patreon of the Leg Club Foundation, you are forging a path that others will follow. Thank you for being an example  of a Role Model. We hope others will be inspired by your actions, your support and your service. 

For everyone else, join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's create more Role Models to support our Society.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In this episode, our twelfth, we welcome back Cate Bain -- a Practice Nurse, "The Wound Guy" Media Coordinator and member of our very own Social Media & Communications (SM&C) committee that represents the The Lindsay Leg Club Foundation.

Cate discusses the role dressings play in supporting the healing of wounds explaining that wound dressings are ultimately a tool and the type of dressings may change as a wound treatment progresses. 

The process of repairing a wound should be considered as a "holistic activity" involving the whole body. Nowadays, there are many wound dressings available which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. As we continue to improve our understanding of wound treatments, technology will help provide more options and pathways for successful treatment. 

In all cases, remember to consult a Healthcare professional. Your local Leg Club will be able to put you in touch with professionals who can help you make good wound dressing choices. 

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In our eleventh episode, we welcome back our guest speaker Mark Whiteley - a Professor and Consultant Venous Surgeon and Consultant Phlebologist of The Whiteley Clinic, London. Visit https://thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk/team/prof-mark-whiteley/ for more information.

In this episode, Mark expands on treatments that may help or hinder two key concerns when treating varicose veins, specifically 

In both cases, Mark explains the importance of treating the underlying cause of leg wounds and/or leg swelling first to rule out more complex venous disease, lymphedema or arterial issues. This helps ensure more complete, high quality and sustainable results are possible.

This concludes the third and final part of Mark's podcasts which have explored themes relating to "Venous Disease".  We recommend you follow Prof. Mark Whiteley's work (see previous link) to keep up-to-date with continuing advances, new techniques as well as his ongoing research.    

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In our tenth episode, we welcome back our guest speaker Mark Whiteley - a Professor and Consultant Venous Surgeon and Consultant Phlebologist of The Whiteley Clinic, London. Visit https://thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk/team/prof-mark-whiteley/ for more information.

Mark continues the series relating to Venous Diseases and talks through the current treatment trends in Venous Disease. This is the second of a series of three podcasts. Stay tuned for Part 3!

In this episode, Mark reflects on treatment trends for Venous Disease since the mid 1980s and outlines modern techniques including some that he and his team have pioneered which are more effective and minimally invasive with high quality results.

For some residual varicose veins in the legs or feet, Mark explains the use of foam sclerotherapy. This involves using ultrasound to precisely guide the injection of foam to close the unhealthy vein. The foam causes the varicose vein to collapse, before it is naturally absorbed back into the body.

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In our ninth episode, we are honoured to have another guest speaker - Dr Karen Ousey - a Professor of Skin Integrity, Director for the Institute of Skin Integrity & Infection Prevention, University of Huddersfield. Visit https://research.hud.ac.uk/strategy/athena-swan/case-studies/karen-ousey/ for more information.

Today, it is very common to control wound infections with antibiotics. However, when organisms (e.g. "super bugs") become resistant to antibiotics, we develop what is known as "antimicrobial resistance". Hence why we need to better understand "antimicrobial stewardship" to help prevent antimicrobial resistance and treat a range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. This will in turn help with the safe management of patients with wounds.   

Karen talks explains why "antimicrobial stewardship" in wound management is important and why we need to understand it. In summary, patients and carers alike need to be educated. To help with this, Karen recommends the following publications :- 

1) Wounds UK - Best Practice Statement 

2) Benjamin A Lipsky - Position Paper 

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In our eigth episode, we are honoured to have another guest speaker - Dr Anna Galazka - a Lecturer in Management, Employment and Organisation Section, Cardiff Business School. Visit https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/1432573-galazka-anna for more information.

Anna talks through findings from her post-doctoral research in which she observed the practice of "social values creation" within Leg Clubs. 

This study ran between 1 Oct 2019 and 15 Jan 2020 and included circa 54 hours of observations across 6 UK based Leg Clubs. This work involved obtaining written consent from participants in order to share stories which have subsequently been "para-phrased" in this podcast.

Some themes worth highlighting :-   

1) Leg Club visitors experienced a 'sense of community' - enjoying the social side of human interaction in a community setting. 

2) Leg Clubs are "hubs" of collective learning about wound care and wound management. 

3) Leg Clubs work because of the "informal atmosphere" - unlike what typically is found in most hospitals.

4) Waiting in a "social area" versus a "traditional hospital" waiting area made the overall experience more relaxed and enjoyable. 

5) Transparency of the surroundings alleviated "fear of the unknown" - likened to a restaurant, where you can see what's going on around you.    

The Leg Club model of care is brought to life by our esteemed members, volunteers and nurses. Much respect, love and gratitude!

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In our seventh episode, we are honoured to have our first guest speaker - Mark Whiteley - a Professor and Consultant Venous Surgeon and Consultant Phlebologist of The Whiteley Clinic, London. Visit https://thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk/team/prof-mark-whiteley/ for more information. 

Mark talks through the signs and symptoms of Venous Disease. This is the first of a series of three podcasts. So stay tuned for more!

Veins are thin-walled structures inside of which a set of valves keeps blood in the body flowing in one direction. The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body’s tissues through thicker-walled arteries; the veins return that blood to the heart. Veins located close to the surface of the skin are called superficial veins and the veins found in the muscles of the arms and legs are called deep veins.

Damaged vein walls hinder the circulatory system, allowing blood to collect and flow in a retrograde (backward) fashion when the muscles relax. This creates an unusually high pressure buildup in the veins. This buildup causes further stretching and twisting of the veins, increased swelling, more valve incompetence, sluggish blood flow and potential blood clot formation. Eventually, this condition can lead to various disorders known as "Venous Disease".

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

Living with.. "Charcot Marie Tooth" disease (or CMT) is a deeply moving story of Lynn Bullock -- PA to Ellie Lindsay, Life President of the LLCF (Lindsay Leg Club Foundation) and a member of the Social Media and Communications (SM&C) committee.

In Episode 5, Lynn presents, in her own words, a personal story about her long term condition known as "Charcot Marie Tooth disease" -- one of the most common inherited diseases.  Symptoms can show from childhood, the other extreme is having CMT but not showing any signs or very few. Physical signs are shown in the legs, feet and hands. Walking can be difficult, and you can lose dexterity in your hands.

The mental challenges can include: fear of the future, frustration in not being able to complete everyday tasks, attitude of others.

People with long term conditions wish to be treated as ‘normal people’; a polite request to everyone across society including those in the medical profession who need to acknowledge that a person with CMT is a human being -- not just a person with a physical problem.

For more information, please visit www.cmt.org or take a look at this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2gsY-_JAaE in which three other people with CMT talk about their experiences.

As always, please consider joining the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond). Let's support all members of our society, today and everyday.

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information.

In our fourth episode, Ellie Lindsay, the Founder and President of the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation (LLCF) talks about an ageing society. 

There is an increasing proportion of older people (typically, those over 65 years) living alone leading to higher risks of social isolation.  

Ageing has a significant impact on society. People of different ages and gender experience different challenges that tend to include legal and social responsibilities, outlooks on life, and self-perceptions. 

We need to continue to engage in and encourage inter-generational engagement rather than regress to an "age segregated society".  

Join the Leg Club community around the UK (and beyond) and, together, let's help all generations adapt to a society that benefits all.   

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more information. 

In our third episode, Ellie Lindsay, the Founder and President of the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation (LLCF) talks about the effects of loneliness and  share some encouraging messages about maintaining a Positive Attitude -- based on the Leg Club model of care.

Communities are made up people with their own unique personalities and problems. Loneliness affects all types of people, especially those living alone. Since the emergence COVID19, social isolation has affected elderly people as well as carers and families often feeling helpless. 

However, despite the pressures of social isolation, people have adapted to new realities and developed positive attitudes towards one another like. There is a growing sense of optimism as we all look forward to restrictions lifting in 2021 and beyond. 

Please do your part in amplifying positivity by looking out for and checking in with neighbours, friends and family. 

Checkout our website www.legclub.org for more advice, guidance and events that may help you develop and maintain a Positive Attitude.