§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of pressure ulcers occurring in the NHS in(a) England and (b) each strategic health authority, in each of the last six years; if he will estimate the cost of pressure ulcers to the NHS in these years; and if he will make a statement. [138178]
§ Dr. LadymanThis information is not held centrally. We are taking steps to improve services for patients with pressure ulcers.
A pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention guideline was published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in April 2001. An updated version of the guideline was published on 22 October 2003. The guideline outlines best practice for health professionals caring for individuals who are vulnerable to or at risk of developing pressure ulcers.
A wound care package of guidelines is also currently being developed by NICE, which will include a guideline on pressure ulcer treatment.
As part of the guideline development process, NICE estimated that the cost of treating pressure ulcers may be as high as £750 million a year.