Does a general practice perform wound care and dressing?

Yes, general practice can often assess, clean and dress minor wounds when the injury is suitable for outpatient care. The clinician may remove visible debris, check the wound edges and surrounding skin, choose a dressing, and explain how to keep it clean.

Wound care is more than placing a covering over an injury. The clinician checks depth, bleeding, tissue damage, sensation and movement, then decides whether the wound needs closure, a different dressing or referral. The visit may also include a review of tetanus protection and advice about bathing, activity and dressing changes.

A clinic may not manage wounds that involve major tissue loss, exposed bone or a suspected injury to a tendon, nerve or blood vessel. Location and timing also affect the safest plan.

If the wound is bleeding, apply steady pressure with clean material while arranging care. Do not pull out an embedded object or pour harsh chemicals into the wound. Bring details about how the injury happened, your tetanus history and medicines that affect bleeding.

After dressing, follow the agreed change schedule and wash your hands before touching the area. Keep the dressing dry if instructed, and observe the edges for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge or worsening pain.

Seek urgent care when bleeding continues despite firm pressure, the wound is deep or gaping, an object is embedded, or there is numbness or loss of movement. Go promptly for a bite, a heavily contaminated injury, rapidly spreading redness, fever or severe pain. Emergency help is needed for fainting or signs of shock.

Ask: How often should I change the dressing? Can I shower? What signs suggest infection? Do I need tetanus protection, closure or a follow-up review? Which activities should I avoid while the wound heals?