Perth's bid for WUWHS, 2030

03/03/2022

VOTE 1. PERTH, AUSTRALIA FOR WUWHS 2026.

With the 2022 World Union of Wound Healing Societies General Assembly almost upon us, we invite you to consider Perth, Australia as the host destination for the 2026 Congress of the WUWHS - World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

Bid chair Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts of the International Surgical Wounds Complications Advisory Panel (ISWCAP), along with Vice-President Thomas Serena and the entire Local Organising Committee hope to welcome you with open arms to Western Australia, in celebration of 25 years of the WUWHS - a silver jubilee.

Discover our world-class meeting and conference venues, state of the art infrastructure and plenty of bright minds, all amongst the backdrop of breathtaking Western Australia. Go from bush to beach in a matter of minutes, and explore all that lies in between right here, down under.

We truly hope to see you here in 2026.

03/03/2022

Day 2 of the Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies was spent meeting, learning and getting up close and personal with the wildlife!

Catch our bid chair Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts at exhibition booth H5-90 today for a chat about the future of global wound care and healing.

02/03/2022

Day 1 of the Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies is complete! What a fabulous day of learning, reconnecting and planning for the future alongside some of the greatest minds in wound care and healing.

Don't forget to drop by Perth's booth in Abu Dhabi, booth number H5-90 and say g'day to our bid chair Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts.

Bring on day 2!

25/02/2022

Introducing Perth, Australia's final Local Organising Committee member, Keryln Carville. A well-known name in the field of wound care and healing, Keryln has extensive clinical experience in wound and ostomy care, and is devoted to research and education within her areas of interest and expertise.

Keryln is the Professor of Primary Health Care and Community Nursing at Silver Chain Group and Curtin University, where she also co-ordinates the Postgraduate Program of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Practice. Keryln also Chaired the Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance, in the development of the International Guideline for 2014 and 2019.

Prof Carville was honored for her contributions to the field, when she was appointed a Life Membership to the Australian Wound Management Association (now Wounds Australia) in 2006, and the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses in 2015. She was also awarded the WA Health Life-Time Achievement in Nursing Award in WA in 2010. Keryln also sits on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Wound Practice and Research.

With over 100 peer reviewed journal publications and texts to her name, and having delivered national and international keynote presentations, Keryln truly is a national treasure in wound care.

Join Keryln, along with thousands of other global wound care professionals, to celebrate 25 years - a silver jubilee, of the institution of WUWHS - World Union of Wound Healing Societies in 2026. There truly is no better place to celebrate the history and future of the establishment, than in the country where it all began, back down under.

Vote 1. Perth, Australia as your host destination for the 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

23/02/2022

The countdown to the Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies is on. Kicking off from the 1st of March in Abu Dhabi, a cross-section of industry leaders in wound care and healing will come together to share knowledge, plan and connect on the global stage. In a hybrid congress style, experts in the field will share their findings and research both virtually, and in-person, over the course of 5 busy days.

Learn from one of Australia's leading wound care professionals at the below presentation sessions, hosted by our very own bid chair Dr. Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts.

Tuesday, 1st March
08:10 AM - 08:20 AM
Using AI for prediction of the at-risk cohort for early detection of surgical wound complications.

Wednesday, 2nd March
8.10AM-8.20AM
The burden of surgical wound complications, advances to improve outcomes.

Friday, 4th March
10:30AM - 11:00AM
Surgical wound dehiscence: prediction of those at risk and new grading system for diagnosis

09.00 AM - 09.15 AM
Novel approaches in scar management

Capture the opportunity to connect with our inspiring bid chair, Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts, in Abu Dhabi next week, for what is known as the 'Olympics' of wound care.

21/02/2022

Introducing Pam Morey, a proud Western Australian and integral member of Perth's Local Organising Committee. Pam is a Wound and Ostomy Nurse Practitioner, who shares a passion for wound care with her fellow Local Committee members.

Nurse Morey's experience spans more than 25 years in length, with time having been spent on both acute and chronic wound care, Pam is a wealth of knowledge with a love for helping others. Throughout her career, Pam has held executive positions for the Australian Wound Management Association (now known as Wounds Australia), at both state and national level, and was awarded a Fellowship in 2012.

Pam has presented both nationally and internationally, contributed to the development of national and state guidelines, assisted with policy related to pressure and injury prevention and wound management, and has been published in industry guiding chapters and journals. Pam was recognised for excellence in nursing when awarded the inaugural Western Australian Nurse of the year in 2003.

Join Pam along with over 90% of global wound care specialists, for a week of knowledge exchange and celebration in the country where it all began. Vote Perth, Australia as your host destination for the 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

18/02/2022

It is with pleasure that Perth, Australia's bidding party introduces Hayley Ryan, member of the Local Organising Committee and wound care professional. Hayley boasts almost 20 years of experience in nursing, having worked closely with wound care and wound healing practices over this time.

As the chair of Wounds Australia, Hayley has a valuable skillset spanning across leadership and governance, and a passion for healing wounds as a Clinical Nurse Consultant. Additionally, Hayley manages her own company WoundRescue, where her and her team offer education, consulting and quality review services to patients and carers across Australia.

As a proud Wadi Wadi woman, Hayley takes pleasure in sharing the rich culture of Aboriginal Australians - the oldest culture in the world, dating back over 60,000 years.

'What is now called Perth has been a meeting place for the traditional owners for long before settlement, and so it is especially significant that Perth be the place for the modern exchange of ideas on the beautiful land of our traditional owners'.

Join Hayley Ryan and thousands of other internationally renowned, wound care professionals in 2026. Vote Perth, Australia as the host city for the 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

17/02/2022

With under two weeks to go until the 2022 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies, our local organising committee have been busy prepping!

Can you guess where we are?

15/02/2022

Associate Professor Pritinder Kaur, is an epithelial stem cell biologist and a passionate member of Perth, Australia's local organising committee, bidding to host the 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies. Her international profile as a stem cell biologist with expertise ranging from skin regeneration to functional genomics makes her an important part of the Australian wound care and healing community.

With over 30 years of experience in running independent labs, Dr Kaur holds a plethora of valuable leadership and management skills that will assist greatly in guiding the future direction of the WUWHS. Her experience spans across globally-renowned learning institutions such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Monash University and Curtin University.

Additionally, Dr Kaur serves on the Medical Research Future Fund Stem Cell Therapies Mission Expert Advisory Panel; is an Editorial Board Member of “Stem Cells” The International Journal of Cell Differentiation and Proliferation; Vice-President, Australasian Wound & Tissue Research Society and Head, Scientific Committee, Australasian Society for Dermatology Research.

Boasting a wealth of knowledge in the fields of wound care, research and healing, Dr Kaur is a key member of Perth's Local Organising Committee, sharing industry relevant wisdom that will have a positive impact on the future direction of the WUWHS.

11/02/2022

Located under 50 minutes outside of the Perth CBD, Rockingham and Mandurah offer visitors sea-side charm and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Home to exciting wildlife experiences, Rockingham and Mandurah are the perfect options for post-conference relaxation, where you can easily blur the line between business and leisure at one of the many seaside conference centers or, simply enjoy a vacation filled with thrilling experiences from aquatic adventures to nature pathways, just waiting to be explored.

Delegates looking to host a seaside, post-conference gala dinner or cocktail function are sure to be impressed by the coastal facilities you'll find in this region. Others looking to add some leisure to their business trip will be spoilt for choice, with experiences ranging from an immersive 'catch and cook' your own lobster offering, to a visit to the largest thrombolite reef in the Southern Hemisphere at Lake Clifton

Delegates attending the 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies can expect relaxation and recovery without the burden of excessive travel time, when visiting Rockingham and Mandurah.

10/02/2022

Member of the Australian Local Organising Committee, Professor Fiona Wood has been a burns surgeon and researcher for over 30 years and is Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia
(BSWA).

Professor Wood’s greatest contribution and enduring legacy is her work with co-inventor Marie Stoner, pioneering the innovative
‘spray-on skin’ technique (Recell), where today the technique is used worldwide. In October 2002, Prof Fiona Wood was propelled into the media spotlight when the largest proportion of survivors from the 2002 Bali bombings arrived in Perth where Fiona led the medical team at Royal Perth Hospital to save many lives.

Recently, Fiona authored a review investigating the potential link between burn injury and a life-long risk of heart disease. Read the full article here: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/Article/2022/January/Link-between-burn-injuries-and-cardiovascular-disease-explored

Fiona, alongside the members of Australia's local organising committee, can't wait to welcome delegates attending the Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies to Perth in 2026.

08/02/2022

The local organising committee for Perth, Australia's bid, along with the International Surgical Wound Complications Advisory Panel (ISWCAP) have taken the time to identify a number of significant goals and outcomes attached to their potential presidency and 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

Strong leadership and direction is paramount to the success of any organization, which is precisely why the curation of distinctive goals and outcomes are required in governance.

The below goals will direct the future of the WUWHS, under the ISWCAP presidency:
1. To foster and maintain a multidisciplinary network of people and organisations with expertise in wound management clinical practice and research.

2. To consolidate WUWHS organisation transformation and continue the ethical and financial rigor and governance for the stewardship of the union to ensure sustainability into the future.

3. To maintain representation on relevant international groups and associations, advise governing bodies, health care providers and consumers about best practice in wound management.

4. To continue to develop, promote, and publish guidelines, standards, and educational material for wound management to international publishing standards.

5. To promote and support wound management research.

To learn more, visit shorturl.at/nDY03

Discover Western Australia, where you can expect the unexpected in a land filled with unparalleled natural beauty, unique venues and hotels, UNSECO-world heritage sites, a global-industry center for wound healing and some of the world’s best minds.

03/02/2022

The prospective 2026 Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies theme, 'New Horizons - 25 Years and Beyond' sets the WUWHS up for a bright and promising future to come.

Perth, Australia's local organising committee and supporting societies have identified immense value in enriching and developing the future experts and leaders in wound care, lighting the way for the next generation to shine brightly. It is the duty of the society to ensure that young professionals in the fields of wound care and wound healing are represented and invested in, to maintain stability for years to come.

Therefore, Australian bidding society The International Surgical Wound Complications Advisory Panel, has worked hard to secure financial support, for the sole purpose of subsidising nurses' from developing countries and students' congress registrations, should the congress be held in Perth for 2026.

The outcomes of this support will see an increased representation of relevant groups and associations and upheld values of inclusion, diversity and accessibility in related fields of work.

It is imperative to the progression and innovation of the wound care and healing industries that we foster and enrich the future leaders.

Vote Perth, Australia to make this vision a reality.

01/02/2022

We are pleased to share that Perth, Australia's bid chair Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts and Vice President of the International Surgical Wound Complications Advisory Panel (ISWCAP), Dr Tomas Serena have conducted ground-breaking research into new technology found to increase the detection of wound infections.

As a senior research fellow at The University of Western Australia, and Associate Professor at Murdoch University, Kylie is the lead author on a break-through paper detailing fluorescence imaging technology and its capacity to detect infection at a surgical site by 11-fold. Her unearthing findings have been published in the International Wound Journal. The study marks the first of its kind, reporting the use of an advanced diagnostic device for the visualization and diagnosis of infection in surgical wounds.

The findings are part of Australian bidding society, 's, initiative to support the early and accurate detection of clinically concerning bacterial burden in surgical wounds.

Kylie and the entire ISWCAP team are an integral part of wound care and healing research on the international stage, with explorative advancements of this magnitude set to drive change in clinical practice and improved patient outcomes.

Read the full article here: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/Article/2022/January/New-technology-increases-detection-of-wound-infection

A new study led by a senior research fellow at The University of Western Australia has found fluorescence imaging technology, an advanced diagnostic device which allows clinicians to see into the wound, can increase the detection of infection at a surgical site by 11-fold.

27/01/2022

Safety is paramount to the Australian experience and delegates attending the Congress for the World Union of Wound Healing Societies can expect to feel secure when visiting Perth.

Australia is a secular country, where many religious denominations are freely practiced and where people are able to peacefully express their values within the law.

Additionally, our stable political system means that political unrest is uncommon and human rights are upheld to the utmost standard.

The WA police force has a strong presence in the Perth metropolitan area, particularly noticeable in the Perth CBD where they can be counted on to act swiftly and appropriately when a crime is reported.

Enjoy peace of mind and a state of relaxation when you visit Perth, Australia for the Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing societies in 2026.

20/01/2022

Perth's Convention and Exhibition Centre is WA's only purpose-built convention, exhibition and meeting venue and is the propose venue for the 2026 Congress for the World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

Despite its convenient location in the center of the CBD, PCEC still boasts stunning views of Perth's crown jewel; Elizabeth Quay. Within a 1km radius of the venue lies over 2,000 hotel rooms and an endless variety of restaurants, shopping precincts and entertainment venues, easily accessible via free public transport.

A blank canvas for big thinking, PCEC boasts an array of boardrooms, theatres, auditoriums and meeting rooms providing the space and capability to host any event.

18/01/2022

In just 30 minutes, delegates can travel from the modern concrete jungle of the Perth CBD, to the enchanting port city known locally as 'Freo'.

A memorable blend of cultural history and coastal living, Fremantle is Perth's very own UNESCO World Heritage listed city, and it's easy to see why. Bustling with life, culture and flare, in Freo you will find hidden bars, cafes that charm and the iconic Fremantle Markets which burst at the seams with taste, colour and festivity.

Prefer the coastal lifestyle? Take a stroll down to Fremantle Port, originally opened in 1897, and dine at a waterside brewery or beach-house. Fremantle is also home to Western Australia's oldest public building, The Roundhouse as well as the UNESCO World Heritage listed site, Fremantle Prison - each of which carrying their own significance to the Town of Fremantle's history.

Easily accessible by train or car, Fremantle is a must-do for delegates of the WUWHS congress visiting Perth in 2026.

13/01/2022

The proposed congress dates for the World Union of Wound Healing Societies being the 4th-8th of October, 2026 are set to highlight the idyllic climate experienced here in sunny Western Australia.

In October, the sun shines for a minimum of ten hours per day, making the days longer and more ideal to explore the biodiverse landscapes that Western Australia has to offer.

Unlike the European calendar, there are 6 Aboriginal Noongar seasons in Western Australia, each differentiated by their changes in local plants and animals. The proposed congress dates will fall within the Kambarang season, representing birth with flowering plants, reptiles awakening from the colder months and the Nyoongar people moving to the wetlands as part of their seasonal migration between the coast and the bush.

With wildflowers in full bloom, cool crisp mornings and warm sunny afternoons, spring is the most pleasant season of the year to visit Western Australia.

Vote Perth, Western Australia.