A wound dressing apparatus comprising: a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound site, the wound dressing comprising: a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in contact with a wound; a first area and a second area positioned adjacent to the first area, wherein the first area comprises an absorbent material and the second area is configured to receive a negative pressure source; and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer, the first area, and the second area; a pump disposed on or positioned within the second area of the wound dressing, the pump comprising an inlet and an outlet and being operable to apply negative pressure to the wound site; and a component in fluid communication with the inlet, the component defining a plurality of flow paths between an interior of the wound dressing and the inlet such that occlusion of the inlet is inhibited; wherein the component is in fluid communication with the absorbent material and configured to inhibit flow of wound exudate from the wound site into the inlet; and characterised in that the component comprises a port coupled to the pump inlet, wherein the port is configured to receive a portion of the pump inlet. a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound site, the wound dressing comprising: a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in contact with a wound; a first area and a second area positioned adjacent to the first area, wherein the first area comprises an absorbent material and the second area is configured to receive a negative pressure source; and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer, the first area, and the second area; a pump disposed on or positioned within the second area of the wound dressing, the pump comprising an inlet and an outlet and being operable to apply negative pressure to the wound site; and a component in fluid communication with the inlet, the component defining a plurality of flow paths between an interior of the wound dressing and the inlet such that occlusion of the inlet is inhibited; wherein the component is in fluid communication with the absorbent material and configured to inhibit flow of wound exudate from the wound site into the inlet; and characterised in that the component comprises a port coupled to the pump inlet, wherein the port is configured to receive a portion of the pump inlet. a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in contact with a wound; a first area and a second area positioned adjacent to the first area, wherein the first area comprises an absorbent material and the second area is configured to receive a negative pressure source; and a cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer, the first area, and the second area; a pump disposed on or positioned within the second area of the wound dressing, the pump comprising an inlet and an outlet and being operable to apply negative pressure to the wound site; and a component in fluid communication with the inlet, the component defining a plurality of flow paths between an interior of the wound dressing and the inlet such that occlusion of the inlet is inhibited; wherein the component is in fluid communication with the absorbent material and configured to inhibit flow of wound exudate from the wound site into the inlet; and characterised in that the component comprises a port coupled to the pump inlet, wherein the port is configured to receive a portion of the pump inlet. <EOS>