Wound and dressing care
Wound care in Rutherford, at every stage of healing.
Dressings, wound reviews, minor cuts and burns, and suture removal by our GPs and nurses.
Healing well, with the right care.
Good wound care helps prevent infection and supports healing. Our GPs and nurses can clean and dress wounds, check how they are healing, remove stitches and help with slow-healing wounds.
Rutherford Doctors is a Medicare Bulk Billing Practice in Rutherford. Consultations are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some dressings and consumables may attract a fee.
Need a dressing or wound check?
How we can help.
Choose a topic to learn what is involved and when to see a GP.
Cuts and grazes
Minor injuries that need cleaning and dressing.
Proper cleaning helps prevent infection.
Some cuts need glue, strips or stitches.
Your GP will check if you need a tetanus booster.
Minor burns
First aid and follow-up care.
Cool under running water for 20 minutes.
Special dressings help burns heal.
Large, deep or facial burns need urgent care.
After surgery or procedures
Wound checks and stitch removal.
Checking healing after a procedure.
Usually 7 to 14 days after, depending on the site.
Changing dressings as needed.
Slow-healing wounds
Leg ulcers and wounds that are slow to heal.
Finding the cause, such as circulation or diabetes.
Regular, tailored dressings.
Specialist wound or vascular care if needed.
Infection
Spotting infection early.
Increasing redness, heat, swelling, pus or fever.
Your GP may prescribe antibiotics.
Spreading redness with fever needs prompt care.
Something else on your mind? Our GPs can help.
Wound first aid.
What to do before you see us. In an emergency, call 000.
Cuts
Minor cut
Apply pressure to stop bleeding.
You may need stitches or glue.
Cuts
Graze
Keep it clean and covered.
Watch for signs of infection.
Cuts
Puncture wound
Puncture wounds have a higher infection risk.
Your tetanus may need updating.
Burns
Minor burn
Do not use ice, butter or creams.
Cover loosely with cling wrap.
Burns
Scald
Remove clothing and jewellery near the burn.
Call 000 for serious burns.
This is general first aid information. Call 000 for serious injuries or burns.
Need a wound checked?
Your wound care visit.
What to expect.
Nurses
Nursing care
Our nurses help with dressings, wound reviews and stitch removal.
Bring
Dressing details
Bring any dressing instructions from the hospital or specialist.
Seek urgent care if
- Bleeding that will not stop
- A serious or deep burn
- Spreading redness with fever
- Signs of an allergic reaction
Step by step
- 1Assess
Your GP or nurse checks the wound and asks how it happened.
- 2Clean
The wound is cleaned.
- 3Dress
A suitable dressing is applied.
- 4Plan
You receive care instructions and a review date if needed.
Book wound care.
Stitch removal
Book your stitch removal appointment for the date your GP recommends.
Tetanus
Tell us if you are not sure when you last had a tetanus vaccine.
Costs
Consultations are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some dressings and consumables may attract a fee.
Book wound careWhat do you need?
Select your situation.
Book wound care.
Our GPs.
Our GPs and nurses provide wound care.
No preference? Book the first available GP.
Wound and dressing care questions.
Is wound care bulk billed?
Consultations are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients. Some dressings may attract a fee.
When should stitches come out?
Usually after 7 to 14 days, depending on the site. Your GP will advise.
Do I need a tetanus shot?
Your GP will check your history and the type of wound.
What are signs of infection?
Increasing redness, heat, swelling, pus or fever.
What should I do for a burn?
Cool under running water for 20 minutes, then seek care if needed.
Further reading
Skin checks in Rutherford: what to expectThis page provides general information about wound and dressing care services at Rutherford Doctors. It is not a substitute for advice about your own health. Please book an appointment to discuss your situation. In an emergency, call 000.
