Every day across Australia, nearly half a million people live with chronic wounds that affect not just their health, but their entire quality of life.
For Myfanwy Jones, a dedicated nurse at St Andrew’s, these aren’t just statistics – they’re the stories of real people who need specialised care to heal and return to their daily lives.
“Proper wound care can mean the difference between someone returning home in weeks rather than months,” Myfanwy shares. “But without specialised training, even experienced nurses can struggle to provide the most effective treatment.”
It was this understanding that drove Myfanwy to seek advanced wound care training. However, like many healthcare professionals, the cost of specialised education seemed out of reach – until she received a life-changing opportunity through the Rosalie Russell gift in Will. Rosalie’s legacy includes a bursary program that supports nurse education and training.
“When I learnt about the bursary, I knew this was my chance to make a real difference,” she says. “Not just for my own patients, but for everyone who comes through our hospital doors.”
The impact of this educational opportunity has rippled far beyond individual patient care. Today, thanks to Myfanwy’s dedication to sharing her knowledge, every ward at St Andrew’s has access to advanced wound care expertise. She has created a network of informed practitioners who can recognise, assess, and treat complex wounds with confidence.
Her expertise has even reached beyond St Andrew’s walls, as she now shares her knowledge with staff at other hospitals, creating a broader community of skilled wound care practitioners.
The transformation in patient care has been remarkable. Complex wounds that might once have led to complications are now managed with expertise from the start. Patients experience less discomfort, shorter hospital stays, and better outcomes – all because one nurse received the opportunity to expand her knowledge.
The impact is particularly evident in the way wound care is now approached across the hospital. Where once each ward might have handled similar wounds differently, Myfanwy’s training has helped establish consistent, evidence-based practices throughout St Andrew’s. This standardised approach means patients receive the same high level of care regardless of which ward they’re in, leading to more predictable healing times and better resource management.
“One of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing other nurses grow in confidence,” Myfanwy explains. “When they understand the science behind wound healing, they’re better equipped to make informed decisions about treatment. It’s not just about applying dressings – it’s about understanding the whole healing process and how we can best support it.”
For Myfanwy, this journey has been about more than just learning new techniques. It’s about honouring Rosalie Russell’s passion for education by ensuring her gift continues to touch lives through improved patient care.
“Every time I see a wound healing well, or teach another nurse a new technique, I think about how one person’s commitment to education can create such lasting change,” she says.
This is the power of investing in healthcare education – it creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the initial investment. Through Myfanwy’s story, we see how supporting one healthcare professional’s education can transform care for countless patients, while building a stronger, more knowledgeable medical community.
As chronic wounds become more prevalent and complex, the need for specialised wound care expertise grows ever more critical. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like Rosalie Russell, nurses like Myfanwy can access the education they need to meet this challenge, ensuring better outcomes for patients today and into the future.
Learn more about leaving a gift in you Will to St Andrew’s here.