Smith & Nephew boosts its healing powers

PATIENTS with serious heal wounds will be able to benefit from the latest healing technology thanks to the launch of a new range of products by Smith & Nephew.

The Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) VISTA and EZCARE products – acquired from Blue Sky Medical last year – will be used to treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, burns and pressure sores as well as post-operative and hard-to-heal wounds.

Their addition means that Smith & Nephew is the first and only wound care company to provide a complete portfolio of advanced wound care solutions.

According to the medical treatment specialist, which has its advanced wound management headquarters in Hull, NPWT is the fastest growing segment of the wound care market.

It has already signed an agremment with US-based medical equipment firm Universal Hospital Services to supply it with NPWT products.

More than 150 physicians, nurses and wound care specialists will meet this weekend in Las Vegas with Smith & Nephew as part of a worldwide launch.

“Following the acquisition of Blue Sky, we are very to launch our new NPWT franchise, which gives us the opportunity to offer doctors an additional weapon in their armoury to treat serious wounds,” said a spokesman.

Although Hull is Smith & Nephew's primary manufacturing site and headquarters of global marketing, product development and buinsess management, the global giant also has manufacturing operations in Largo, Florida and Gilberdyke in the UK.

York is home to its research centre with scientists supporting its advanced wound management division.

As well as advanced wound management, Smith & Nephew is one of the world's leading orthapaedic firms.