Pressure ulcers can have a significant impact on a person’s health, wellbeing, independence and quality of life. They can cause pain and distress, increase the risk of infection and lead to additional healthcare interventions or hospital admission. Although not all pressure ulcers are preventable, many can be avoided or their severity reduced through early identification of risk, appropriate preventative measures and prompt escalation of concerns.

Domiciliary care staff have an important role in pressure ulcer prevention. Although staff will not normally be responsible for diagnosing, categorising or clinically treating pressure ulcers, they may be well placed to recognise changes in a person’s mobility, skin condition, nutrition, hydration, continence or general health that could indicate an increased risk of pressure damage.

Staff must therefore remain alert to potential pressure ulcer risks, implement preventative measures included within the person’s care plan, promptly report concerns to management in the first instance, and work collaboratively with community nurses, GPs, Tissue Viability Services and other healthcare professionals.

This policy will assist to establish your arrangements for preventing, recognising and responding to pressure ulcers within a domiciliary care setting.

Published 14th September 2026