Clinicians who care for patients with wounds in the UK and Ireland are faced with the challenge of ensuring that their practice is of the highest standard, however, in order to do this they require the support of their organisations. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers have not committed to clear protocols that guide practitioners in the management of wounds and, as a result, many patients are managed without clear treatment goals or obvious pathways of care.

When a patient with a wound is managed inappropriately, they can suffer from failure to heal which results in the wound being present longer than is necessary and an increased risk of complications. Posnett and Franks (2008) stated that a high proportion of chronic wounds remain unhealed for long periods and for almost certainly longer than necessary.

Such ineffective management can result not only in prolonged patient suffering, but also increased cost to healthcare organisations. In order to set minimum standards and outline guiding principles with the intention of optimising wound care delivery, this Best Practice Statement has been developed by an expert panel chaired by Professor Keith Harding, following the key principles of best practice.