This masterclass is designed to address the persistent variation in wound assessment practice across community and acute settings and its impact on patient outcomes, safety, and cost. Despite national policy drivers emphasising early diagnosis, antimicrobial stewardship, safe compression, pressure ulcer prevention, and defensible documentation, gaps remain in holistic assessment and differential diagnosis.
This interactive day focuses on strengthening clinical reasoning from “patient first” assessment through to accurate identification of wound aetiology, red flag recognition, and structured wound bed evaluation. Participants will revisit the fundamentals of vascular screening, infection identification, and measurement accuracy, aligning practice with current professional standards, governance expectations, and quality improvement priorities. Through case-based learning, image interpretation, audit critique, and practical measurement workshops, delegates will build confidence in making consistent, evidence-based decisions and documenting clearly and defensibly.
The programme links assessment directly to action, supporting appropriate escalation, timely referral, and effective treatment planning. By the end of the day, participants will be equipped not only to improve individual clinical practice but also to recognise unwarranted variation within their services and contribute to safer, more cost-effective wound care delivery.
During this training you will be able to recognise variation in practice and the need for accurate, holistic, evidence based wound assessment. You will also learn to strengthen clinical confidence, consistency, and decision-making in holistic wound assessment and differential diagnosis, ensuring clear, appropriate, and concise documentation.
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this masterclass, participants will be able to:
Conduct a structured, holistic wound assessment that considers the patient as a whole
Accurately differentiate common wound aetiologies using clinical indicators and history
Identify local, spreading, and systemic infection and recognise red flags requiring urgent escalation
Perform and interpret basic vascular assessment findings safely and recognise when referral is required
Apply structured wound bed assessment principles, including tissue identification and exudate evaluation
Measure and document wounds accurately to monitor healing progression
Demonstrate clear, concise, and defensible documentation aligned with professional and governance standards
Recognise variation in practice and its impact on patient outcomes and service costs
Translate assessment findings into evidence-based treatment plans and appropriate referral pathways
Reflect on personal and team practice to support continuous quality improvement in wound care
Who should attend? Community and acute nurses, Tissue Viability nurses, AHPs involved in wound management, Clinical leads/service managers, Practice Nurses, Care Home qualified nurses, and those responsible for wound assessment
