Getting under the skin of bed sores

THE Pennine Acute Trust is pushing a very uncomfortable issue into the spotlight — bed sores.

Health experts have released a new video for staff and the public on how best to prevent and treat the condition also known as pressure ulcers.

Judy Harker, nurse consultant for tissue viability at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Pressure ulcer prevention is not a new priority for the trust.

“Over the last two years we have stepped up our efforts to reduce pressure ulcers across our hospitals.

“Our tissue viability team has been working closely with staff at all levels of the organisation to raise awareness of the importance of identifying and managing pressure ulcers correctly.

“These measures have resulted in a change in mindset and attitude of trust staff when it comes to preventing pressure ulcers and stopping them from developing in patients.

“Staff no longer view pressure ulcers as an inevitable outcome of patients being frail or unwell.”

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