[Margaret Pilkington]

With great respect, I have to tell you that NHS Staff DO have training in the prevention of pressure sores......all patients on admission will have an assessment done....it is called a WATERLOW score. This is used to determine how likely it is for the patient to develop pressure sores.....it takes into account their mobility, nutritional and fluid status and their sex......this score is updated whenever there are changes in the patients condition.....like if the patient is going to go to theatre.....well, it is certain that they will be immobile for a period of time. Interventions are implemented when the score reaches a certain level.....pressure relieving devices are used.....and not just the air mattresses.....there are a wide range of devices available. Sometimes though, the patient will get a break even though you have done your level best. I WAS one of those ward managers.....but I actually preferred the title of Nursing Sister.......I can assure you that I was not 'indifferent, but very much involved in the day to day care of the patients, and took my responsibilities very seriously indeed.

I agree with Lettie about the nursing students, it appears that they only want to be involved in the very technical stuff and relegate the basic care to Auxilliary nurses who they sometimes appear to look down on.....OK, maybe not all students do this, but a large portion DO. Some of the best nursing lessons I ever learned were taught to me by the Auxilliary nurses. Nursing Auxilliaries are there as assistants in care, but I feel that the care delivery should be supervised by trained nurses......and that these nurses should nurse patients rather than trying to emulate Doctors...and getting paid a fraction of their salary.