Today is International Stop Pressure Ulcer Day 2019 however the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have continued throughout the year a project to educate people on pressure ulcer prevention and the simple steps that can be taken to avoid them.

Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure sores or bedsores) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. They can happen to anyone, but usually affect people confined to bed or who sit in a chair or wheelchair for long periods of time.*

The CCG was recognised earlier this month by the HSJ and Nursing Times Awards for their work supporting NHS England’s ‘React to Red’ pressure ulcer prevention training which consequently reduced pressure ulcers in Vale of York care homes by 75%.

The approach was shortlisted in the Nursing Times Patient Safety category and was ‘highly commended’ by HSJ placing second in the category ‘Care of Older People’.

Michelle Carrington, the CCG’s Executive Director of Quality and Nursing said: “Whilst recognising 95% of pressure ulcers are preventable, they remain a significant healthcare problem for the most vulnerable with implications such as pain, reduced mobility, social isolation and increased dependency on health and care services.

“Care home staff and domiciliary care and carers in the Vale of York are applying knowledge and skills from the React to Red training programme to effectively promote skin integrity and recognise early signs of damage.

“The CCG is incredibly proud of the work done by our Quality and Nursing Team and we could not have achieved this without the unwavering determination of the care home staff and domiciliary care and carers to keep their residents safe from harm.”

More information can be found on the CCG’s website: http://bit.ly/Yorkreacttored

Fulford nursing home staff raising awareness of pressure ulcers on International Stop Pressure Ulcers Day 2019

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