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The UK Office for National Statistics says that improvements in lifestyle and healthcare mean the UK’s population is getting older. In 1976, 14% of the UK’s population was aged 65 or over but projections suggest that this figure will rise to nearly 25% by 2046 [1]. As this trend continues, so too does the pressure this puts on nursing and care home places. It also places increasing demands on care home staff. The Royal College of Nursing survey, which specifically looked at the care home sector, suggests that there are a number of themes emerging as a result [2].

The complexity of health issues and level of dependency of those entering care is increasing. Due to financial pressures, care establishments accept people that they do not have the resources and expertise to cope with.
A shortage of nursing staff means that often care establishments are struggling to cope with these increasing care needs.
Inappropriate equipment means that nurses feel it’s difficult to do their job properly.
The quality of care can be compromised as a result of the above issues.

All these issues can directly influence the likelihood of a pressure ulcer developing. Clinical judgement, regular assessments and repositioning, as well as having the right pressure relieving support surface, are key tools to pressure ulcer prevention. Clearly, ensuring the right measures are put in place to prevent pressure ulcers can be difficult, but it needs to be remembered that most pressure ulcers are avoidable and should they develop as a result of neglect, can lead to prosecution [3] [4]. Preventing pressure ulcers in nursing homes and care homes is largely dependent on giving staff the knowledge, resources and right procedures to follow.

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