Aim of the Course

The course aims to develop safe, systematic and person-centred wound-care practice. Learners will strengthen their ability to assess and document wounds, recognise delayed healing or deterioration, follow agreed treatment plans and escalate concerns promptly.

Scope of the Course

The course covers common acute and chronic wounds encountered in care homes and comparable adult health and social care settings. It includes wound assessment, healing, infection prevention, dressing principles, documentation and escalation.

Completion does not independently authorise a learner to perform clinical wound assessments, select dressings, undertake debridement or change prescribed treatment. These activities require appropriate professional authority, practical training, assessed competence and compliance with local policies and wound-care pathways.

What This Course Covers

The course covers:

1. Skin structure and wound healing
2. Common wound types and underlying causes
3. Holistic and structured wound assessment
4. Wound measurement and documentation
5. Tissue, infection, moisture and wound-edge assessment
6. Pressure damage and skin tears
7. Leg, foot, diabetic and surgical wounds
8. Infection prevention and aseptic practice
9. Dressing selection principles
10. Pain, nutrition and other healing factors
11. Recognising deterioration and complications
12. Care planning, review and clinical escalation

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, learners should be able to:

1. Describe the principal functions and structure of the skin.
2. Differentiate between common acute and chronic wound types.
3. Explain the main stages of wound healing.
4. Identify factors that can delay or prevent healing.
5. Gather relevant information for a holistic wound assessment.
6. Apply a structured approach to wound observation and assessment within their role.
7. Measure and document wound characteristics consistently.
8. Recognise pressure damage, skin tears and moisture-related skin damage.
9. Identify signs of local infection, spreading infection and clinical deterioration.
10. Explain why leg, foot and diabetic wounds may require specialist assessment.
11. Apply infection-prevention principles during wound-care activities.
12. Explain the factors considered when selecting a wound dressing.
13. Recognise when treatment decisions exceed their competence or authority.
14. Support pain management, nutrition, hydration and pressure relief.
15. Maintain an accurate wound-care plan and review record.
16. Escalate wound deterioration or urgent concerns without delay.

Further Reading and References

Legislation and regulations

1. Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014—Regulation 12 — requires providers in England to deliver safe care and treatment, assess risks and prevent avoidable harm.

National guidance and best practice

1. NICE CG179: Pressure ulcers—prevention and management — recommendations covering pressure-ulcer risk assessment, prevention and treatment.
2. NICE NG152: Leg ulcer infection—antimicrobial prescribing — guidance on recognising and managing infection in adults with leg ulcers.
3. NHS England: Enhanced Health in Care Homes Framework — includes national best-practice expectations for skin integrity, pressure-ulcer prevention and wound care in care homes.