A new programme being rolled out across mid and south Essex - which includes Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie in the Maldon district - aims to provide faster healing and better outcomes for residents with leg wounds.

Wound care teams across the area are looking at how they can enhance and standardise lower limb wound assessment and review processes with the aim of speeding up healing time and improving care.

The programme will also work with patients to redesign services and care to improve the prevention, assessment and treatment of people with chronic wounds.

Anthony McKeever, executive for the Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to innovate by developing an approach that will deliver the best possible care for people suffering with leg wounds.

"Closer working through our Health and Care Partnership with the support of local patients and the National Wound Care Strategy offers a clear path forward to enable better health outcomes for patients."

The teams in mid and south Essex will become a national accelerator site as part of a nationwide programme which seeks to improve the care and treatment of wounds.

The aim is to ensure consistent high standards of care including correct diagnosis, management, and onward referral as appropriate.

The programme hopes to aim reduce inequality in the management of chronic wounds and improve patient outcomes.

As part of this work, the group will also explore ways in which data around wound care can be better managed.

Digital innovation also forms part of the scheme, including the implementation of a specialised app which will scan wounds via smartphone devices.

Nina Murphy, interim operational lead for long-term conditions at the North East London NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Our vision is to transform the care received, using technology and innovation and ultimately reducing the recurrence of wounds and improving the quality of life of people experiencing lower leg wounds."