Decision details

The Chairman invited to the table:

• Kay Matthews, Chief Operating Officer, Barnet CCG
• Jennie Williams, Director of Nursing, Haringey CCG. 

The Committee were advised that Jenny Goodridge, Director of Quality and Clinical Services, Barnet CCG, had been due to attend the meeting but had had to give her apologies. The Committee noted that Jennie Williams worked closely with Jenny Goodridge. 

The Vice Chairman noted that the paper reported on the incidence of pressure ulcers but what was equally important was how pressure ulcers are dealt with. He asked if there were any statistics on how quickly and efficiently pressure ulcers are treated. Ms. Williams advised that Ms. Goodridge chaired a monthly quality review meeting with the Royal Free NHS Trust (RFH)and Central London Healthcare (CLCH) where the issue of the reporting and management of pressure ulcers was monitored. 

The Committee noted that the majority of pressure ulcers (also known as pressure sores or bedsores) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. They can happen to anyone but usually affect people confined to bed or who sit in a chair or wheelchair for long periods of time. The Committee was informed that Care Homes do not collect the same information on pressure sores as NHS Trusts. 

A Member questioned if there is an explanation as to why the RFH was an outlier in terms of reported grade two pressure ulcers. Ms. Williams confirmed that the responsibility for responding to this rested with the provider but that Ms. Goodridge would request such information at the monthly quality review meetings and seek assurance about the actions being taken to reduce the number of pressure ulcers occurring within the Trust. 

The Chairman questioned if it would be possible to receive a report on the incidence and treatment of pressure ulcers in Care Homes and in Primary Care settings. The Committee noted that pressure ulcers within Primary Care settings are not currently recorded. 

Ms. Williams advised that there is limited work currently taking place within Barnet Care Homes on pressure ulcers but noted that colleagues were considering how NCL CCGs could best address the variation of quality and safety in Care Homes. The Committee noted that Ms. Goodridge has recently taken on a system leadership role relating to Care Homes.   

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report.