Infection and biofilm delay the healing process of wounds and can often be an indicator of hard-to-heal wounds. This award is open to researchers and health professionals who have provided insightful contributions to increase understanding, improve practice or prevent the development of biofilms.

This award recognises organisations, researchers and health professionals who promote and monitor the use of antimicrobial dressings as an alternative to using antibiotics for wound infections.

The field of wound care is ever-changing, but one thing is for certain: the dedication of researchers and health professionals alike in improving patient care remains unwavering. This award is for clinical research that has resulted in huge improvements in wound care.

Evidence-based medicine sets the standard by which improvements in wound care are made and can greatly improve the quality of life of wound care patients. This award is for research that has made major contributions to the field.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most common complications in patients with diabetes and treatment of these wounds is imperative. This award is open to all who have made contributions to the treatment of DFUs.

Valuable contributions to the world of wound care come from all over the globe. This award is in recognition of individuals who have contributed from economically disadvantaged countries.

Often the balance between tissue regeneration and scar formation determines the ability of the tissue to be functional. This award is for companies who have created products that have allowed for normal tissue edges to regenerate.

Evidence-based care of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) suggests that compression therapy plays a pivotal role in the standard of care. This award celebrates health professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to their clinical practice or area of research.

Often the forgotten sector, caring for the skin and wounds of those receiving care in care homes or home care is nevertheless vital. This award is to acknowledge the efforts made by health professionals and carers who have made significant improvements within their setting (care home, both residential and nursing or home care) to the skin and wounds of those they care for.

Wound care should be accessible to all those who need it, regardless of financial status. This award is to celebrate those who have made valuable contributions in making wound treatments accessible for everyone.

This award is to acknowledge and celebrate health care professionals who have developed solutions/strategies to improve the treatment of wounds caused by burns. Entries can cover the whole or part of the clinical pathway, impacting the patient, clinician or local healthcare economy.

Hard-to-heal wounds continue to pose a challenge to wound care professionals, are becoming more prevalent, harder to treat and are associated with high treatment costs. This award is for those who have made novel contributions to a complex condition.

Surgical site infections can put lives at risk, and as the battle with antibiotic resistance continues, novel strategies are required. This award is to acknowledge the efforts made by health professionals and researchers who have significantly impacted the prognosis, diagnosis, prevention or treatment of surgical site infections.

From changing their approach, to employing new systems in order to optimise wound care, this award is open to all people in the field of wound care who have introduced innovative approaches to an existing challenge in wound care.

Michelle devoted her life to the progress of wound healing both in the NHS as a Lead Tissue Viability Nurse and in Industry. Michelle has been widely cited by her many publications. She sadly died too early this year. This award recognises her desire to encourage new talent to advance the cause of improving tissue viability.

Companies are invited to nominate a ground-breaking product that they believe has improved wound care, while being cost-effective.

Entries will be judged on:

• Evidence of novelty/original thinking
• Evidence of a significant impact/benefit to the area or patients
• Evidence in the application or supporting document of the achievements described Suitability for the category entered
  

This Award celebrates dressing technologies designed to restore and maintain wound balance by shifting elevated biomarkers towards a balanced microclimate, resembling acute healing.

The incidence of pressure ulcers is increasing and learning how to manage and care for pressure ulcers appropriately is of high importance for all professionals in wound care. This award is for health professionals who have made outstanding contributions in pressure ulcer care.

Patient activation is needed within services who aim to improve the outcomes of people with lower leg and foot problems. Legs Matter has patients with experience around the table, partnering with the clinicians in order to shape the Legs Matter Strategy. This award celebrates strategies that have intentionally brought people with experience into the work so that understanding is improved and their experience will shape the emerging service or strategy.