A gel formulation for use in filling a wound cavity and delivering active ingredient thereto, having a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, low bioadhesive strength and cohesive integrity and being a PVA borate gel including an active ingredient and a modulator to bind borate and/or PVA in aqueous solution through a mono-diol or di-diol formation and reduces the pH of PVA-borate hydrogels. A suitable modulator is a sugar alcohol such as mannitol and the active ingredient, a medicament suitable for topical application such as a local anaesthetic and/or an antibiotic.