Pressure relieving equipment selection in the community: rising to the challenge

Due to changes in health care provision district nurses are increasingly called on to assess for more specialized pieces of equipment from an ever-increasing choice of products. Eligibility criteria for the ordering of equipment have been developed in Leeds to assist district nurses in ensuring that the equipment they assess for is the most appropriate and suitable for its purpose and that it will be used safely and correctly. The use of the criteria is demonstrated through their application to pressure-relieving equipment. Use of the eligibility criteria will hopefully improve the overall quality of service for the patient and carers throughout the process of equipment provision, from assessment through to delivery and its subsequent use.