Abstract
Wound care in paediatrics presents many challenges related to the particularities of this clientele which ranges from premature babies to adolescents. Wound aetiology in paediatrics may also be less well understood. This article will first review the skin physiology of premature infants. Those neonates represent a new clientele at risk and the characteristics of their skin should be considered when they present with wounds. Secondly, an overview of the most common wounds encountered in the paediatric setting will be discussed, including ulcerated haemangiomas, epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and pressure ulcers. Prevention and management strategies will also be considered.

Abstract
This project was conducted in an Australian rural base hospital. It compared the Norton and Waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment scales with an informal nurse assessment via a prevalence and an incidence study of inpatients.
This study, more a pilot study due to the small sample size, suggests that the pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence within this Australian hospital was comparable to national and overseas studies. Statistical analysis of the incidence data using the Kappa and McNemar tests showed that the Waterlow risk assessment scale performed better than both the Norton scale and the informal nurse assessment when identifying patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers.

Abstract
The Tissue Trauma Clinic (ITC) at the John Lindell Rehabilitation Unit (JLRU), Bendigo Health Care Group, offers a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to wound and oedema management, including the management of leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, bums. lymphoedema and other chronic oedemas, for clients of all ages. This article will discuss the structure and function of the clinic, patient assessments, treatments, other services provided and outcomes.

Abstract

Abstract
The correlation between social isolation, poor compliance to treatment and low healing rates for patients suffering from leg ulcers is well documented. Pain, odour, bandages etc. result in low self-esteem, depression and social stigma. Home visits by community nurses do not address the social and psychological needs of this client group. By providing leg ulcer management in a social, non-medical setting, where the emphasis is on social interaction, participation, empathy and peer support, Debenham Leg Club is an innovative approach to meeting the holistic needs of the patients. It is a unique partnership between the district nurses and the local community in which a sense of ownership empowers patients to become stakeholders in their own treatment. Clinics are held weekly in a community cottage on an informal ‘drop in’ basis. Patient contacts average 1,000per annum, 70per cent for treatment, the balance for assessment, monitoring or advice. The value of the ‘club’ concept is evident in the happy, welcoming, uninhibited atmosphere that characterises the clinic. Patients’  views have identified positive attitudes and a strong sense of ownership in ‘their’ club. Many long-standing ulcers have healed or greatly improved as patients have attended the Leg Club. However, prospective quantitative studies need to be performed to confirm whether ulcers do heal better in this type of environment. This nurse-led social leg ulcer clinic provides holistic care and combats the effects of social isolation on compliance and wound healing.