Date: 15 July 2025 Venue: Wembley
Duration: Half-day 3-4 hours
Agenda:
09:00 with Welcome and Introductions, followed by a brief overview of wound healing and the different types of closure techniques used in primary care.
From 09:15 to 09:45 Participants will explore the Assessment of Wounds, including guidance on when to use sutures, tissue glue, staples, or steri-strips based on wound type, location, and patient factors.
09:45 and 10:15, Equipment and Techniques, introducing local anaesthetics, appropriate suture materials, principles of asepsis, and identifying potential risks and complications.
10:15 to 10:30. Tea
10:30 to 11:30: Practical Skills Stations Participants will rotate through supervised stations to practise:
- Simple interrupted sutures
- Application of tissue glue
- Use of steri-strips
- Use of staple guns
11:30 to 12:00, the session will conclude with a discussion on Complications, Aftercare, and Documentation, followed by a Q&A session, debrief, and distribution of certificates.
Resources & Equipment Needed:
- Suture kits and instruments (needle holders, forceps, scissors)
- Simulated skin pads
- Assorted suture materials (e.g., 3-0 nylon)
- Staple gun devices and staple removers
- Tissue adhesive (e.g., Dermabond)
- Steri-strips and adhesive removers
- Local anaesthetic vials (demo), syringes, and needles
- Gloves, PPE, dressing packs, sterile drapes
Recommended Pre-Reading:
- NICE Guidance on Wound Management in Primary Care
- BMJ Best Practice: Minor wounds
- RCEM Learning: Suturing techniques and wound closure
- Geeky Medics: Suturing Techniques Guide