Barnsley nurses react to red

Barnsley’s district nursing service, run by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is taking part in the national React to Red Skin campaign aimed at preventing pressure ulcers.

The prevention of avoidable pressure ulcers in the community is one of the biggest challenges that care organisations face – a challenge which currently costs the NHS and care organisations in the UK around £6.5 billion per year.

Pressure ulcers affect around 700,000 people in the UK every year and many of these will develop whilst an individual is being cared for in a formal care setting (hospital, nursing home or care home). The reality is that many pressure ulcers are avoidable if simple knowledge is provided and preventative best practice is followed.

District nurses are currently piloting a training pack in Deangate care home at Mapplewell in Barnsley. Two React to Red champions have been trained and are now passing this knowledge on to the rest of the care home staff.

As part of the campaign NHS England has funded a clinical support nurse for six months. They will lead on the campaign and make sure that best practice is followed across the borough in the long term.

Pat Wood, clinical lead, said: “We will be talking to patients, families and carers; educating as many people as possible about the dangers of pressure ulcers and the simple steps that can be taken to avoid them.

“By reacting to red skin over bony areas and asking for help and advice from a healthcare professional we can stop red skin becoming a serious wound.

“If you need help don’t be afraid to ask.”