Pressure sores and the NHS – a growing problem as the country ages
Pressure ulcers (pressure sores or bed sores) are areas of damage to your skin and the tissue underneath. You have a higher chance of getting them if you have difficulty moving.
rnn the UK, pressure ulcers are more common in older adults, particularly those over 70, with over 60% of ulcers occurring in this age group. While age itself is not the direct cause, conditions frequently seen in older individuals, such as hip fractures, incontinence, and chronic illnesses, increase the risk. Specifically, those with spinal injuries also face a higher risk, with 20-30% developing pressure ulcers one to five years after the injury.
Pressure ulcers usually form on bony parts of the body, such as the heels, elbows, hips and tailbone.
Symptoms of a pressure ulcer include:
- discoloured patches of skin that do not change colour when pressed – the patches are usually red on white skin, or purple or blue on black or brown skin;
- a patch of skin that feels warm, spongy or hard;
- pain or itchiness in the affected area of skin.
The ulcers usually develop gradually but can sometimes appear over a few hours. They can become a blister or open wound. If left untreated, they can get worse and eventually reach deeper layers of skin or muscle and bone.
While there is no definitive data showing a strict increase in pressure sores (bedsores) in the UK, they remain a significant healthcare problem and are estimated to affect over 700,000 people annually, with 180,000 new cases each year. The incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers increases with age, with over 60% occurring in those over 70.
Lucie Prothero, senior associate in the clinical negligence team, who specialises in elderly care claims, comments: “We are dealing with an increasing number of cases and enquiries relating to poor standards of elderly care, either in the community setting or in hospitals. This includes instances where older patients are admitted to hospitals or nursing homes and go on to develop avoidable pressure sores.
“If left untreated, these sores can cause considerable damage to a patient and result in prolonged pain, suffering and the need for extensive treatment. For an older person, it can mean a steep downturn in their levels of function and independence, with all the physical and emotional impact that can have on their lives and those of their families.”