Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management

Course Overview

Pressure ulcers are not just a clinical issue. They are a quality of care indicator, and in many cases, a sign that something in the care process has been missed, delayed or not fully understood.

For the individuals affected, pressure ulcers can cause significant pain, distress and complications. For organisations, they are closely scrutinised during inspection and can raise serious concerns around care quality, record keeping and staff competence.

Our Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management course is designed to give staff a clear, practical understanding of how pressure damage develops, how it can be prevented, and what to do when concerns arise.

The focus is on early recognition, consistent preventative care and confident escalation, helping staff understand not just what to do, but why it matters.

This training aligns with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, including recommendations within NICE guidance on pressure ulcer prevention and management, and expectations from the Care Quality Commission around safe, effective and responsive care.

Pressure ulcers are not always just a clinical concern. In some cases, they may raise safeguarding questions, particularly where there are concerns about neglect, delayed care or failure to act.

The UK government provides clear guidance on when pressure damage should be considered within a safeguarding context, including when concerns should be escalated under safeguarding procedures. This includes situations where:

  • There are unexplained or avoidable pressure ulcers
  • Preventative measures have not been implemented or followed
  • There are delays in recognising or responding to skin damage
  • Care planning and documentation do not reflect the individual’s needs

The UK Government safeguarding adults protocol for pressure ulcers outlines how to assess concerns and when to raise a safeguarding alert.

Course Details

Duration: Half day or full day (depending on depth required)
Delivery: Face-to-face, in-house or remote via Zoom/Teams
Certificate: Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management certificate
Group size: Flexible

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for:

  • Care assistants and support workers
  • Senior carers and team leaders
  • Domiciliary care staff
  • Residential and nursing home staff
  • Healthcare assistants
  • Staff supporting individuals with reduced mobility or complex needs

It is particularly relevant for teams who:

  • Support individuals at risk of pressure damage
  • Are responsible for skin integrity monitoring
  • Contribute to care planning and documentation
  • Need to improve early identification and escalation
  • Are preparing for inspection or responding to incidents

Why This Training Is Important

Pressure ulcers are largely preventable when the right knowledge and care practices are in place. However, in busy care environments, early signs can be missed or misunderstood, leading to deterioration that could have been avoided. The Care Quality Commission expects providers to demonstrate:

  • Effective risk assessment and prevention strategies
  • Accurate and timely documentation
  • Appropriate escalation and clinical involvement
  • Staff competence in recognising and responding to risk

Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence highlights the importance of:

  • Regular skin assessment
  • Repositioning
  • Nutrition and hydration
  • Use of appropriate equipment

This course supports staff to understand how these elements come together in practice, helping to reduce risk and improve outcomes.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Define pressure ulcers and understand how they develop
  • Identify risk factors for pressure damage
  • Recognise early signs of skin deterioration
  • Understand pressure ulcer grading and staging
  • Carry out and contribute to risk assessments
  • Implement preventative measures, including repositioning
  • Understand the role of nutrition and hydration
  • Use and understand pressure-relieving equipment
  • Recognise when to escalate concerns
  • Document and report accurately
  • Reflect on their role in prevention and early intervention

Course Content

  • Understanding pressure ulcers and skin integrity
  • Causes and risk factors
  • Pressure ulcer grading and staging
  • Risk assessment tools and approaches
  • Skin inspection and monitoring
  • Repositioning techniques and frequency
  • Equipment and pressure relief
  • Nutrition and hydration
  • Infection prevention considerations
  • Documentation and record keeping
  • Escalation and multidisciplinary working
  • Learning from incidents

How the Course Is Delivered

This course is delivered face-to-face at your workplace or chosen venue, or remotely via Zoom or Teams, depending on your needs.

Sessions include:

  • Real-life scenarios from care settings
  • Practical discussion around prevention strategies
  • Case-based learning
  • Opportunities to explore real challenges within your service

Certification & Validity

Learners receive a Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management certificate on completion.

While there is no fixed legal renewal period, refresher training is recommended annually to support:

  • Consistent care practice
  • Updated knowledge
  • Ongoing staff confidence

In-House & Bespoke Training

All training is delivered in-house or remotely and tailored to your organisation. We can:

  • Align training with your documentation and systems
  • Support teams with varying experience levels
  • Focus on specific challenges within your service
  • Incorporate inspection feedback or improvement plans

This ensures the training is directly relevant to your setting.

Course Location & Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue, tailored to your needs and schedule. This flexible approach removes the need to send staff off-site for essential learning. Our experienced trainers deliver courses across Manchester and Greater Manchester, supporting organisations throughout the North West. We also provide on-site training throughout England, covering major cities, towns, and regions nationwide, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

Wherever and however the training is delivered, all sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors and meet the same high standards.

FAQs

What is a pressure ulcer?

A pressure ulcer is damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, shear or friction. It most commonly develops in individuals with reduced mobility, where sustained pressure reduces blood flow to the skin. If not identified early, this can lead to tissue damage and breakdown. Pressure ulcers are categorised in stages, from early skin changes through to more severe tissue damage, which is why early recognition is critical.

Are pressure ulcers preventable?

In many cases, yes. Most pressure ulcers can be prevented with consistent, proactive care. This includes regular repositioning, effective risk assessment, monitoring of skin condition, maintaining good nutrition and hydration, and using appropriate pressure-relieving equipment. Prevention relies on staff understanding what to look for and acting early, rather than waiting for visible damage to occur.

What are the early signs staff should look for?

Early signs can include redness or discolouration that does not fade when pressure is removed, changes in skin temperature, swelling, hardness, or complaints of pain or discomfort in a specific area. On darker skin tones, changes may be more difficult to detect visually, so staff should pay attention to texture, temperature and the individual’s feedback. Recognising these early indicators allows for immediate action to prevent further deterioration.

How does this relate to CQC expectations?

The Care Quality Commission expects providers to demonstrate that risks such as pressure damage are identified, assessed and managed effectively. This includes having trained staff, clear documentation, appropriate care planning and timely escalation. Failure to prevent or respond appropriately to pressure ulcers can raise significant concerns during inspection, particularly around safety and quality of care

Is this course suitable for non-clinical staff?

Yes. This course is specifically designed for care and support staff. It focuses on prevention, observation and escalation rather than clinical treatment. Staff learn how to recognise risk, carry out preventative care and report concerns appropriately, working alongside clinical professionals where required.

Can the training be tailored to our service?

Yes. The training can be adapted to reflect your organisation’s policies, risk assessment tools, documentation and the specific needs of the individuals you support. This ensures that learning is directly relevant to your setting and can be applied immediately in practice.

Related Courses

Book or Enquire

If your organisation wants to reduce pressure ulcer risk and strengthen preventative care, this course provides a clear, practical and evidence-based approach.

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, all courses reflect current UK guidance and best practice.

All trainers are experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and ongoing CPD. Because many of the organisations we support work with vulnerable individuals, all trainers hold Enhanced DBS checks.

Training is regularly reviewed to reflect updates from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and expectations from the Care Quality Commission.

You can read more on our Quality Assurance and Compliance page.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin – Owner & Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training | 25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer Last reviewed: March 2026 | Next review: March 2027

This course provides guidance on pressure ulcer prevention and management. It does not replace clinical judgement, organisational policies or professional medical advice. Providers remain responsible for ensuring care delivery meets current UK legislation and best practice guidance.

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