THE serious issue of pressure sores has been addressed by care home staff who attended an initiative in Skipton recently.

Residents and staff from a Anchor’s Gills Top Care Home, in Grassington, had a stall at the Tesco Extra, in the town, to promote React to Red on National Pressure Awareness Day.

Gills Top Manager Kirsty Francis said: “React to Red is a pressure ulcer prevention campaign.

“We wanted to raise awareness of this issue and educate people about pressure ulcers and the simple steps that can be taken to avoid them.

Pressure ulcers currently affect around 700,000 people per year.

The cost to the NHS and care organisations in the UK for care and treatment is around £6.5 billion per year.

Many pressure ulcers are avoidable if simple knowledge is provided and preventative best practice is followed.

Ms Francis added: “We also collected for our residents’ fund to enable them to enjoy trips out and activities.”