Members of the public are being urged to increase their awareness of pressure ulcers as part of an international day of action.

Sometimes known as bed sores, pressure ulcers are a result of damage to the skin and the underlying tissue. The ulcers happen when an area of skin is put under constant pressure and the flow of blood is disrupted, so the area becomes starved of oxygen and nutrients and begins to break down.

Louisa Way, Lead Nurse, Tissue Viability said: “Pressure ulcers can be very painful and distressing for patients, and they are also very costly to the NHS - a serious pressure ulcer can cost the local health economy more than £10,000 to treat. However, if they are spotted early and the right treatment is put in place they can be prevented from causing serious harm.”

It is important that anyone with known risk factors such as diabetes; mobility problems; or nerve damage, check their skin on a daily basis for any signs of pressure ulcers. Signs to look out for include discoloured or sore areas of skin.

There are plenty of things you can do at home to you reduce your chance of developing a pressure ulcer. These include:

• Changing your position as much as possible

• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals, and drinking plenty of fluids

• Regularly check your skin for signs of an ulcer

• Giving up smoking to increase blood oxygen levels If you have any concerns you should contact your GP or community nurse.

Louisa added: “The Trust has a commitment to ensuring that patients are carefully monitored for the early signs of pressure ulcers. All clinical members of staff receive mandatory training on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers.

“The Trust has recently invested in more than £400,000 in specialist patient equipment. This equipment includes specially designed mattresses which work by alternating pressure using air pockets, so pressure of varying intensity is spread out across different areas of the body. This approach has helped us to maintain our high standards of patient care.”

The day of action, organised by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, will be held on 16 November and sees an international focus on the prevention of pressure damage both in hospitals, care homes, and in the community.