I am delighted to report that the launch of Wounds International has been very well received by clinicians and industry, confirming that there is indeed a genuine need for a ‘journal‘ providing short, interesting, reliable and relevant content that is free and easily accessible to clinicians all over the world.

It is a credit to our authors that the international reach of the journal has achieved such a wide appeal already, with visitors from over 90 different countries viewing the first issue of Wounds International.

The focus of the February issue is on the diabetic foot ulcer. The papers collectively illustrate practice development in different countries, including Australia, India, Italy, North America, Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, Sweden and the UK. All authors confirm the enormity of the problem of diabetic foot wounds and the very real need to act quickly and efficiently to improve morbidity. Jan Apelqvist calls for a new classification for neuroischaemic ulcers and asserts that more attention needs to focus on this aetiology.

Unsurprisingly the second in the 'made easy' series is on the important topic of exudate management. This interesting piece, which has been made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from ConvaTec, looks at exudate-related problems and how these can impact dramatically on patients' quality of life and healthcare resources. The 'made easy' series is designed to quickly and reliably inform and update the busy practitioner with the added bonus that the format can be easily adapted and the content used for teaching purposes.

The Wound Digest section was put together with the help of our sister journals The Diabetic Foot Journal and Diabetes Digest. The Diabetic Foot Journal is a multidisciplinary publication dedicated to exploring the management issues of the diabetic foot – well worth reading if your clinical interest has been stimulated by this issue of Wounds International.

It is clear that demands for clinicians from countries all over the world are ever increasing and finding time to write becomes more difficult as pressures of work rise. Enormous credit goes to the contributors of the expert comments, as the authors have to work quickly to keep the topics current; these comments add a dynamic element to the papers published, giving an alternative perspective of the topic.

The Wounds International team is moving fast to demonstrate the depth of our commitment to providing efficient, effective and innovative education to a multidisciplinary global audience. We are therefore pleased to announce our first Wounds International Conference, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 1-3 February 2011.

The philosophy of Wounds International will be epitomised by the programme, which will offer an all-inclusive, practical and fresh approach. In addition, there will also be opportunities for delegates to revisit their learning or for others, who are unable to travel, to participate via a 'virtual' event delivered following the conference. The Wounds International team is delighted to be working in association with the Wound Healing Association of Southern Africa and to have the support of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies and the local government in Cape Town. By working in partnership with these organisations, this major event will appropriately and effectively meet the needs of a global audience. Further details will be posted on the Wounds International website shortly with details of the programme, delegate registration and accommodation in Cape Town.

Wounds International continues to develop its links with wound care associations from around the world. We are delighted that a large number of associations are now linked to Wounds International and we look forward to working with you and sharing information with your members.

Suzie Calne

Editor, Wounds International

If you would like to contribute to a future issue of the journal, please contact Suzie Calne, the editor of Wounds International at scalne@woundsinternational.com