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Wound care strategy aims to improve nurses’ skills and knowledge

The National Wound Care Core Capabilities Framework for England hopes to standardise care

The National Wound Care Core Capabilities Framework for England hopes to standardise care

The National Wound Care Core Capabilities Framework for England aims to standardise care
Picture: Nathan Clarke

A new national strategy aims to boost nurses’ core skills and knowledge in wound care.

The RCN and Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), who helped to develop the National Wound Care Core Capabilities Framework for England, says it hopes to standardise the quality of care in all healthcare settings and transform patients’ quality of life.

Driving improvements in wound management and treatment

Queen’s Nursing Institute chief executive Crystal Oldman
Crystal Oldman

QNI chief executive Crystal Oldman said it would help district nurses and their teams at the forefront of treating wounds.

‘It has the potential to drive improvements in the way wounds are managed and treated, promoting healing and transforming quality of life,’ she said.

Additionally, the strategy could be used to support nursing staff in accessing continuing professional development by demonstrating the importance and need to keep their practise up-to-date.

Underuse of evidence-based practices and overuse of ineffective practices

The guidance was commissioned by the National Wound Care Strategy Programme and its chair, nursing professor Baroness Watkins of Tavistock, said its publication will help people avoid long-term pain and discomfort.

She said: ‘There is unwarranted variation in UK wound care services with underuse of evidence-based practices and overuse of ineffective practices.’

The framework at a glance

Who is it for?

Health professionals of all levels and in all health and social care settings

What does the framework include?

The skills, knowledge and behaviours that health professionals need are divided into five domains:

  1. Underpinning principles
  2. Assessment, investigation and diagnosis
  3. Wound care
  4. Personalised care and health promotion
  5. Leadership and management, education and research

How is this applied?

The capabilities in each domain divide into three tiers. Tiers are based on general knowledge of wound care, if professionals need to make care decisions independently with critical analysis, or for professionals who lead wound care practise



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