Chronic wounds are the most costly wounds all to treat. A prerequisite for optimum wound healing is to identify the cause of the wound before treatment is commenced. A thorough assessment of not only the wound but the patient's general health, medical history, nutritional status and medication usage is essential. The cause of the wound will dictate, especially in the case of chronic ulcers, the management of the wound including the choice of wound dressings. A multidisciplinary approach is essential in providing the best treatment programme.