R25 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Pressure damage risk assessment

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that every patient is assessed for risk of pressure damage on admission to hospital using a recognised tool such as the Waterlow Score.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Scottish Government, this recommendation was accepted, noting that pressure ulcer prevention and management is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, supported by Healthcare Improvement Scotland's 2009 Best Practice Statement and the national Tissue Viability Programme. According to the Excellence in Care framework, pressure damage risk assessment is included as a fundamental of care, with the CAIR Dashboard monitoring compliance with prevention measures across all NHS boards; furthermore, according to the available evidence, no further published evidence has been identified since 2025.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 4.1 of the Scottish Government's response addresses this by stating that the prevention and management of pressure ulcers is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice. Healthcare Improvement Scotland published a Best Practice Statement - Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers in 2009. The national Tissue Viability Programme also commenced in the same year, aiming to support this area of care.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
01 Jan 2025
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Other

Excellence in Care framework includes pressure damage risk assessment as part of fundamentals of care. CAIR Dashboard monitors compliance with pressure damage prevention measures across all boards.

View detailed findings

Pressure damage prevention and Waterlow Score or equivalent risk assessment on admission is part of the national nursing quality framework.

CAIR Dashboard - pressure damage measures View Source
Source
Inquiry Vale of Leven Inquiry
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
View Source
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Themes & Tags
Care risk assessment failures Falls prevention plans Pressure Damage Nursing
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago