The World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) consensus document on minimising pain during dressing-related procedures recommends that wound-related pain should be assessed at all stages, before, during and after each dressing change (WUWHS, 2004). The highest levels of pain are generally associated with skin and wound damage occurring during dressing changes (Gerritsen et al, 1994; Dykes, 2007).