Our impact at national and international level

Helping to shape the national and international conversation

Our role is not only to deliver excellent care. It’s to share what works, challenge what doesn’t and help shape how care is delivered across the UK and beyond. This year saw us continue to work alongside others who share our values, building partnerships that drive improvement and inspire lasting change.

Strategic influence and leadership

Accelerate’s leaders continue to play key roles across the sector, ensuring our collective experience and evidence shape the future of lower limb health.

National and European leadership

• Trustee roles – The Society of Tissue Viability and the British Lymphology Society
• Partnership – Founding partner of the Legs Matter Coalition, co-chaired by Alison Hopkins MBE in 2024/2025
• European leadership – Alison Hopkins is a Member of the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) and Chair of the European Compression Therapy Programme

New appointments strengthening the national voice

In 2024/25, we welcomed two senior leaders whose expertise will expand our national reach and mentor future talent in wound and lymphoedema care:

• Rebecca Elwell, Director of National Clinical Services – a respected authority in lymphoedema and Trustee of BLS, who will lead innovative virtual services and national education programmes.
• Kate Williams, Associate Director of Wound Care – a recognised national leader in Tissue Viability, Co-Chair of Legs Matter, and Trustee of SoTV.

Their appointments mark a major step in building the next generation of sector leaders and ensuring Accelerate continues to shape both national policy and clinical practice.

Driving equity in wound care across North East London

In partnership with NHS providers and commissioners, we led the first ICB-wide wound care survey – marking a major step towards transforming community health outcomes.

Working alongside Tissue Viability and Community Nursing teams, we used our Needs Analysis Tool to assess the needs of 1,974 residents. Developed and refined over 20 years, this tool identifies gaps in wound care delivery and supports smarter planning. The findings revealed unwarranted variation in practice across the boroughs, alongside key factors that prolong healing and impact quality of life.

The survey has laid the groundwork for a coordinated ICB strategy on lymphoedema and wound care — one that will reduce pressure on community and primary care teams, improve outcomes through earlier intervention and cut avoidable hospital admissions.

Raising the alarm on harm

At Accelerate, we have long recognised the silent crisis facing thousands of people living with non-healing leg and repeated infections. Too often, these conditions are the result of system failures and a lack of clinical knowledge around lower limb health.

We’ve used every opportunity this year – from conference platforms to meetings with ministers and national nursing leaders – to raise the alarm on harm, highlighting the urgent need for better education, prevention and joined-up care.

We don’t stand alone in this. As a founding member of Legs Matter, and with team members serving as Trustees of the British Lymphology Society (BLS) and the Society of Tissue Viability (SoTV), we are part of a movement that champions equity, early intervention and patient wellbeing.

Working together to raise standards everywhere

We’re proud to stand alongside others who are driving progress in wound and lymphoedema care – sharing our expertise, evidence and voice to help shape a more equitable, informed and compassionate system.