Letters: Nursing skills

I READ with interest your article (7 February) on "Hospital trials to prevent bed sore deaths" and the two letters in response.

I nursed in the 1960s in a London teaching hospital where the prevention of pressure sores was of paramount importance and these "new measures" were carried out. A pressure sore was considered bad nursing.

In these days of cutbacks are there going to be the staffing levels to inspect, turn and move patients, as this can take more than one nurse?

Health and safety rules regarding moving and handling have become more rigorous, and often equipment is required to move patients. Is there the money to purchase equipment for patients at risk of pressure sores, such as cushions and mattresses?

The article mentions that the patients require "good nutritional status". Is this possible when it is reported (and I have seen) patients unable to feed themselves not being fed. Who does this task?

Lastly, there can be any number of care plans written, but if they are not read and the care not carried out then they are useless. I do hope that my fears are unfounded and that this latest move to prevent pressure sores will be successful.

Gill Paterson

Caroline Terrace, Edinburgh

YOUR article on "the scourge of bed-sore deaths" (7 February) brings to mind the question of what is currently being taught to student nurses.

So-called new measures "which have wiped out the problem" are not new at all.

Regularly checking on and moving unconscious patients and encouraging conscious ones to move about, constant care of skin and attention to nutrition and hydration are such basic elements of nursing care that one wonders why an expert is needed to promote them.

These basics were always taught early on in any UK nursing course. Has nursing now lost its way? Should we embark upon more apprentice-style nursing courses?

Ann Toms

Lauder

Berwickshire