When Healing Takes Time: How WoundRescue and QCS Are Changing the Story on Wound Care in Aged Care
Wounds in older people don’t always follow the usual path to healing. Frailty, reduced mobility, and changes in skin integrity can turn a small pressure point into a painful, persistent issue. For aged care residents, this can mean weeks—sometimes months—of discomfort, vulnerability, and limited independence.
At Quirindi Care Services (QCS), recognising this reality has shaped the way wound care is delivered. Instead of managing complex wounds alone, the team partners closely with WoundRescue—a national provider of specialist wound care services—to bring advanced expertise directly to residents who need it most.
“Older adults are particularly vulnerable to wounds due to frailty, immobility, chronic illness, and skin changes associated with ageing,” explains Hayley Ryan, Director of WoundRescue. “Specialist wound care brings not only advanced clinical expertise, but also a proactive, preventative approach that helps identify risks early, reduce pain and complications, and ultimately enhance quality of life.”
Not just treating wounds—supporting recovery
Proper healing depends on more than a well-applied dressing. Nutrition, hydration, and movement all play vital roles in helping the body repair and regenerate.
“Adequate protein, hydration, and key micronutrients like zinc and vitamin C help build new tissue and support immune function,” Hayley says. “At the same time, regular movement, even gentle repositioning or assisted walking, improves blood flow, reduces pressure injuries, and enhances oxygen delivery to tissues.”
This holistic view of healing is something QCS actively supports, through close collaboration across nursing, dietary, and allied health teams.
“We’ve seen time and again that wounds don’t heal in isolation. It takes the right food, good hydration, support from physio or care staff—and early action when something isn’t right. That’s where our partnership with WoundRescue makes a real difference,” said Quirindi Care Services General Manager, Kim Riley.
From referral to results: how the partnership works
At Eloura, QCS’s residential aged care home, staff refer residents to WoundRescue when a wound isn’t progressing as expected. Assessments are carried out onsite or via telehealth, depending on clinical need, with tailored care plans, dressing strategies, and expert guidance provided.
“Our partnership with Quirindi Care Services is collaborative and consumer-focused,” Hayley explains. “In addition to direct wound assessments and tailored care plans, we support QCS teams through clinical education sessions and can offer quality reviews to help align practices with aged care standards. WoundRescue also provides advanced diagnostics and interventions, including Doppler ABPI/TPI, punch biopsies, sharp debridement, and point-of-care testing such as HbA1c and more, all in an effort to keep people in the comfort and safety of their own environment and out of hospital.”
This practical, evidence-based approach leads to better outcomes for residents—improved comfort, fewer complications, and faster healing.
“In many cases, early referral of residents with high-risk wounds allowed for swift intervention using specialist dressings, offloading strategies, and nutritional support—resulting in full healing within weeks,” Hayley says. “These successes are often the result of close teamwork: QCS staff recognising early signs and referring quickly, combined with our specialist input to guide best practice.”
Benefits for residents—and for the whole care team
For residents at Eloura, specialist wound care is more than a clinical service—it’s about reducing pain, preventing deterioration, and supporting a better quality of life.
“The impact on our residents is real—you can see the difference in their comfort, mobility, and wellbeing when wounds are managed effectively. Having WoundRescue’s expert advice on hand not only improves healing outcomes, it also helps our team stay ahead of potential complications,” said Kim.
There are benefits behind the scenes, too. As a not-for-profit, regional aged care provider, QCS must balance quality with sustainability. This partnership helps deliver both.
“From a management perspective, the use of evidence-based wound care supports cost efficiencies by reducing chronic wound progression and minimising the need for hospital transfers or extended treatments. It’s a smart, compassionate investment,” explained Kim.
A whole-of-life approach to care
For QCS, this collaboration is just one piece of a much larger picture—creating an environment where residents feel cared for, supported, and truly at home.
“We continue to invest in the health and wellbeing of our residents through partnerships that genuinely improve their experience—from nutrition and mobility to wound care and beyond. It’s all part of ensuring that every person here feels safe, valued, and at home,” Kim explained.
Raising the bar in regional aged care
Accessing specialist care in a regional setting isn’t always easy—but QCS continues to show that it is possible. By working with organisations like WoundRescue, the team is expanding what aged care can offer in Quirindi and beyond.
WoundRescue’s mission says it best: Healing lives… not just wounds. Together with QCS, they’re doing just that—ensuring every resident has the chance to heal with dignity, comfort, and expert care.
More information on WoundRescue can be found on their website: www.woundrescue.com.au
