Rise in bed sores at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital due to staff shortage

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has seen an increase of reported pressure ulcer incidents for two months according to their quality and performance report.

In February this year there were 24 avoidable pressure ulcers with figures for March showing there were 23 further avoidable ulcers.

The ulcers occur when patients with limited mobility are not moved, often in their beds, for a significant period of time.

Cheryl Etches, chief operating officer, said at a board meeting of the Trust on Monday: "We have seen an increase in the numbers. The total numbers are still quite high. One of the reasons for this is staffing shortages."

The Trust continue to report shortages, particularly in the number of trained, registered nurses. According to the staff staffing report of March 2016, 'The average fill rate for registered nurses both day and nights remain a challenge, with both falling short of 90 per cent."

This means that the number of nurses on shift both during the day and night is below the required number, possibly resulting in less staff being available to turn or move immobile patients who are at more risk of developing bed sores.

Rates of so-called 'avoidable' ulcers, which are ones that patients already have, prior to being admitted to the hospital, have also increased.

This suggests that those who are being cared for in the community are not being moved regularly and sores are not being treated properly when they first appear, leading to deterioration.

The report stated there has been a 'high number of patients admitted to New Cross with significant skin damage, many due to self-neglect and not known to any Trust service within the community'. Overall, since March 2015, avoidable pressure ulcers have increased from 18 to 23, with unavoidable ulcers increasing from 36 to 45. There is a 17.17 per cent vacancy rate for nurses working in the Trust.

David Loughton, chief executive of the Trust said: "We are continuing our push for recruitment.

"We have recruited four new consultants since March 30."

The news comes as NHS England launch their 'Stop the pressure' campaign. The campaign's aim states: "Avoidable pressure ulcers are a key indicator of the quality of nursing care. Preventing them happening will improve all care for vulnerable patients."