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Innovative gel that facilitates removal of damaged tissue through chemical debridement now available to NHS trusts

19 October 2022

An innovative gel that facilitates the removal of damaged tissue by means of chemical debridement as an alternative to sharp debridement is now available for hospital trusts through NHS Supply Chain.

Chemical Wound Debridement Acidic Gel is used for topical application to a chronic wound to help facilitate removal of sloughy and damaged tissue by means of chemical debridement (the removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound) followed by irrigation with water or normal saline and the application of a suitable dressing.

The acidic gel is applied directly onto a wound bed, causing disruption to the biofilm and removal of the infection in chronic wounds in up to 60 seconds. The acidic gel works by withdrawing water-molecules from the biofilm, this desiccating action rapidly disrupts the biofilm, pathogens and inflammatory proteins in the wound.

In clinical trials, the addition of Debrichem to a standard care protocol was found to significantly increase the probability of wound healing. This product not only shows cost saving over a 12 month period in comparison to standard care alone, but also has many additional benefits to the patients quality of life.

Fay Allen, Innovation Specialist, NHS Supply Chain

Additional benefits to patients included an increase in the probability of healing hard-to-treat venous leg ulcers (VLUs) by 75% over 12 months with the potential to reduce the total NHS cost of wound management by up to 57%.

Debrichem is now available on our new Framework Agreement for Chemical Wound Debridement Acidic Gel . We are currently working closely with NHS trusts to understand the value added benefits to improve patient care and the potential move from transactional savings to more value based savings.

Kirsty Wiggins, Category Manager, NHS Supply Chain: Infection Control and Wound Care

This product was identified via the NHS England Innovation Service, during the first stage of the NHS Supply Chain Innovation Process (launched in November 2021). The identification facilitated collaboration between the Category Management Service Provider and the Innovation team to bring this product to the NHS. This is the second innovation to launch after the Uroshield™ ultrasound device which prevents indwelling catheter blockages and infections.

Media Enquiries

Dom Tyson

Corporate Communications Coordinator

dominic.tyson@supplychain.nhs.uk

07808 273 298

Corporate Communications

communications@supplychain.nhs.uk

Notes to editors

All information in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

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About NHS Supply Chain

NHS Supply Chain manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

Managing more than 8 million orders per year, across 94,000 order points and under 17, 500 locations. NHS Supply Chain delivers over 28 million lines of picked goods to the NHS annually and our systems consolidate orders from over 930 suppliers, saving trusts time and money in removing duplication of overlapping contracts. 

NHS Supply Chain aims to deliver savings of £2.4 billion back into the NHS by 2023/2024, leveraging the buying power of the NHS to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured, quality products at the best value through a range of specialist buying functions. Its aim is to leverage the buying power of the NHS to negotiate the best deals from suppliers and deliver savings back into NHS frontline services.

There are 11 specialist buying functions, known as Category Towers, delivering clinical consumables, capital medical equipment and non-medical products such as food and office solutions. Two enabling services for logistics and supporting technology underpin the model.

Working in partnership with NHS trusts, service providers, and stakeholders, NHS Supply Chain aims to:

  • Anchor the business on the needs of the NHS by supporting NHS trusts to deliver safe and excellent patient care and through continuing to build the services the NHS needs.
  • Further strengthen the resilience of the supply chain by continuing to invest in key tools and capacity that build resilience and performance, across the end to end supply chain.
  • Deliver clinically assured, safe products that support improved outcomes for patients and users.
  • Support the NHS objective of becoming the world’s first net carbon zero national health system.
  • Ensure a high performing workforce and highly efficient organisation.

Oversight and operational management of NHS Supply Chain is delivered by the management function, Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL). SCCL was incorporated on 25 July 2017 and is a company registered in England and Wales, company number 10881715. NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England) is the sole shareholder of SCCL.

SCCL is a separate organisation to NHS England and part of the NHS family.