Pressure area care in primary care: issues in equipment provision

The pressure area care needs of primary care patients are becoming more complex due to changes in health care provision. Enabling patients to remain in their own home and allowing them some independence even though they are at high risk of developing pressure damage, relies on the nurse's knowledge of prevention strategies and equipment provision locally. This article discusses the key issues in relation to the provision of pressure-relieving equipment in a rural care trust in England, and how the trust has overcome the problem of equipment failure, especially out of hours and weekends.