A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, comprising: a composite wound dressing comprising: a contact layer , a wound filler and a cover layer for defining a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained by forming a fluid-tight seal around the wound, the cover layer including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the reservoir; an elongate wick having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the reservoir through the aperture in the cover layer , the second end disposed remotely with respect to the aperture in the cover layer , the elongate wick comprising a three-dimensional spacer fabric; a flexible wick cover extending over the elongate wick and having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for forming a fluid tight seal over the aperture in the cover layer , the second end including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the elongate wick ; and a fluid conduit and a fluid port wherein the fluid port is affixed to the composite dressing at a location that is remote from the wound and wherein the aperture in the flexible wick cover facilitates fluid communication between the fluid port and the elongate wick , the elongate wick defining a longitudinal direction therealong between a first end positioned near the aperture in the cover layer and a second end near the location remote from the wound; a collection canister suitable for containing wound fluids; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the reservoir , the vacuum source suitable for generating the negative pressure in the reservoir . a contact layer , a wound filler and a cover layer for defining a reservoir over a wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained by forming a fluid-tight seal around the wound, the cover layer including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the reservoir; an elongate wick having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the reservoir through the aperture in the cover layer , the second end disposed remotely with respect to the aperture in the cover layer , the elongate wick comprising a three-dimensional spacer fabric; a flexible wick cover extending over the elongate wick and having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for forming a fluid tight seal over the aperture in the cover layer , the second end including an aperture therein through which fluids may be extracted from the elongate wick ; and a fluid conduit and a fluid port wherein the fluid port is affixed to the composite dressing at a location that is remote from the wound and wherein the aperture in the flexible wick cover facilitates fluid communication between the fluid port and the elongate wick , the elongate wick defining a longitudinal direction therealong between a first end positioned near the aperture in the cover layer and a second end near the location remote from the wound; a collection canister suitable for containing wound fluids; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the reservoir , the vacuum source suitable for generating the negative pressure in the reservoir . <EOS>