We are pleased to announce the release of a new EWMA Document that synthesises the latest evidence and provides recommendations for managing symptoms in palliative wounds. This resource aims to support healthcare professionals in selecting the most effective strategies for palliative wound care, ultimately improving patient outcomes, advancing research, and enhancing education in this crucial field.

Research and education in wound care have traditionally focused on chronic wounds such as venous, diabetic, and pressure ulcers, with healing as the primary goal. However, there has been limited attention to wounds that are unlikely to heal or require a transient palliative approach. For many patients with palliative wounds—such as malignant fungating wounds—managing distressing symptoms is a daily challenge and a constant reminder of a deteriorating body. Patients, caregivers, and clinicians often struggle with a lack of evidence-based guidance and education on how to manage these wounds effectively.

This publication addresses this gap by reviewing the available evidence, identifying key clinical challenges, and highlighting opportunities to improve palliative wound management from both patient and healthcare professional perspectives.

We extend our gratitude to the author group: Georgina Gethin (Editor), Sebastian Probst (Editor), Jan Kottner, Ana Lamza, Sylvie Meaume, Elena Conde Montero, Fiona Rawlinson, Christina Megal and Hayley Ryan. 

EWMA would also like to sincerely thank the following companies for their unrestricted grants in support of this project: Convatec and Hartmann.

The Palliative Wound Care document has been elaborated in collaboration with the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), the Wound Healing Society (WHS) and Wounds Australia.

The document is published as a supplement to the Journal of Wound Management, vol. 26, 1.

You can read and download the paper for free here.