§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions are being taken to limit costs resulting from pressure ulcers. [173608]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Practice Education Council (NIPEC), is taking forward an Essence of Care Project aimed at improving fundamental aspects of patient care across all care settings. A number of areas of care will be examined, including the prevention, care and treatment of pressure ulcers. The Project will test benchmark 1097W standards, support measures to improve quality, and help practitioners take a structured approach to sharing and improving practice, as well as identifying and remedying poor practice that result in unnecessary costs and poor outcomes.