This episode is created as part of the EWMA Toolkit project on Prevention of pressure ulcer/injury recurrence in patients with spinal cord injuries. The discussion highlights how laws, national guidelines and institutional standards influence clinical practice and patient rights.
Key points include:
- the necessity of thorough documentation as legal evidence of care delivered
- managing informed consent when patients refuse repositioning, assessments or equipment
- handling cases where patients lack capacity, especially in palliative contexts
- how clinical standards and regulations are used to judge whether care met accepted practice
- case examples showing how documentation, autonomy and clinical judgement intersect in negligence claims
The episode underscores that safe practice relies on transparency, communication and adherence to recognised clinical standards while still placing the individual at the centre of care.
This episode features the following specialists:
Dr Sylvia is a legal nurse consultant, is a Certified Wound Care Nurse with 42 years of clinical expertise. With a Doctorate in Nursing and an MSc in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair, Cindy is a former VP of Clinical Affairs, an honorary lecturer at Cardiff University and a published author and international speaker.
Professor Jeffery is the Medical Director for Pioneer Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Centres which is an independent provider of services to the NHS in England. He is also a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, serving with the British Army for 40 years including 4 tours of Afghanistan during his service, Steve is an active researcher in the field of wounds and a member of the Wound Healing Practice Development Unit at Birmingham City University and an Honorary Visiting Professor at Cardiff University.
