The document discusses the Stop the Pressure campaign by the NHS to reduce the number of pressure ulcers patients develop in hospitals each year. It notes that around 700,000 people are affected by pressure ulcers annually in the UK, many of which could be avoided, and calls on healthcare workers to pledge efforts to help prevent pressure ulcers through the campaign. The goal is to drastically reduce this unnecessary harm to patients and improve the essential care provided by the NHS.

1. NHS
STOP THE PRESSURE
700,000 people are affected by
pressure ulcers every year. How many
pressure ulcers will you prevent this
winter?
“ It is vital for everyone involved
in NHS hospital care to listen an
learn from the Stop the Pressure
campaign, so we can act now
and work together to drastically
reduce this unnecessary harm.”
Dr Mike Durkin, National Director of Patient Safety,
NHS England
Call to action
Are pressure ulcers really a
problem within the NHS?
Pledge to help stop the pressure
for NHS Change Day 2014 www.changeday.nhs.uk
Access tools and resources at
www.stopthepressure.com
Tweet your support with
#stopthepressure and follow
@STPressure
Share examples of your success
enquiries@nhsiq.nhs.uk
• Around 186,617 patients develop a
pressure ulcer in hospital each year.
• Each pressure ulcer adds additional
costs of care of over £4,000.
• The most vulnerable patients are
aged over 75.
• Pressure ulcers can result in severe
harm or death.
• Research suggests that between
80-95% are avoidable.
“ The Stop the Pressure campaign
highlights the pain, misery and
distress that pressure ulcers cause
“It’s only with our passion,
for patients, and offers simple
commitment and drive that Stop
actions to help reduce their
the Pressure will succeed, and as prevalence. Join the movement
a result, the essential care we
and make a difference.”
give patients will improve.”
Ruth May, Chief Nurse (Midlands and East), NHS England
NHS
Improving Quality
Royal Devon and Exeter
NHS Foundation Trust
Julie Harries, Head of Programmes (Patient Safety),
NHS Improving Quality
NHS
England
NHS
Guy’s and St Thomas’
Statistics from NHS Safety Thermometer data
NHS Foundation Trust
NHS
University College London Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
NHS