Wound care
The Herefordshire General Practice Local Enhanced Service (LES) Agreement 2026/27 has been updated – this enables GP practices to provide follow-up wound care for a wider group of suitable patients.
The key change (which came into effect in summer 2026) affects patients with post-surgical wounds and those attending the Emergency Department (ED).
Under the revised pathway, patients who meet the agreed LES criteria should usually be directed to their registered Herefordshire GP practice for ongoing wound care, rather than the WVT Wound Care Service.
This applies to both adults and children.
GP practices can provide care for simple wounds that are within the skills of primary care teams, including routine dressing changes and the removal of sutures, clips or staples.
More complex wounds, such as those requiring cavity packing, daily packing, specialist-led management, or care for housebound patients receiving community nursing services, will continue to be managed through existing specialist pathways.
Before discharge, Emergency Dept and surgical teams will complete the required wound care form and hand this to patients. They will also supply at least one spare dressing and ensure patients know how to arrange follow-up care.
Weekend wound care arrangements remain in place for patients who cannot safely wait until the next working day. In these cases, care will be provided through the Surgical Same Day Emergency Care unit at the County Hospital, with specific arrangements for patients discharged on Fridays.