In the prevention and management of pressure ulcers, who takes responsibility for this in a care home? Is this primarily a nurse’s responsibility? What role/responsibility would operations and management have in this?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Amy,

There are two aspects to your question.

The first relates to the training and awareness of the prevention of pressure sores for staff in a care home.

In some areas there is a prevention and treatment awareness nurse who is able to work with care homes.

If there isn’t one in your area, then it is the responsibility of the care home to provide prevention of and awareness training for all care staff.

The second aspect is if one of your service users has a pressure sore then it is the responsibility of health to arrange the appropriate treatment.

This will be done by the GP who will usually arrange for community nurses to carry out the treatment of a pressure sore but in some areas the GP may be in a position to arrange for the involvement of a specialist NHS pressure sore adviser.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes.

Sheila