What are the indications for referral to a specialist for chronic wound management?

Indications for referral to a specialist for the management of chronic wounds include:

• When surgical site infections are suspected with signs of cellulitis or treatment failure, referral to a specialist or tissue viability nurse is advised for appropriate antibiotic treatment and wound management ¹.
• For diabetic foot ulcers, referral to a multidisciplinary foot care service is indicated for specialist debridement, infection control, ischaemia management, and offloading strategies ³.
• Referral to specialist wound care services is recommended when wounds are healing by secondary intention and require expert advice on appropriate dressings and structured care approaches ¹.
• Urgent referral is warranted if there is failure to respond to optimal wound management, presence of severe infection, or complications such as deep abscesses or systemic infection ¹,³.