Colleagues on Ward 5 at Macclesfield District General Hospital are celebrating a major patient safety milestone after going more than an entire year without a single hospital-acquired pressure ulcer (HAPU).
A recent review confirmed that the ward has maintained 100% skin integrity for its patients since 27th March 2025.
The achievement marks a significant win for ‘harm-free care,’ a goal focused on ensuring patients do not suffer avoidable injuries while staying in the hospital.
Pressure ulcers are a frequent challenge in busy medical wards where patients may have limited mobility.
Chief Nurse for East Cheshire NHS Trust, Kate Daly-Brown, said: “Achieving more than a year without a single hospital-acquired pressure ulcer is an outstanding accomplishment and reflects the culture of safety, compassion and continuous improvement that we are committed to across our Trust.
“This success demonstrates what can be achieved when colleagues work together, use evidence-based practice, and place patient safety at the heart of every decision.
“It also reflects our wider Quality and Safety Strategy commitment to reducing harm, strengthening teamwork, embedding learning cultures, and delivering care that patients and families can trust.”
The milestone is particularly impressive following a period of significant reorganisation and "service transformation" on the ward over the last 12 months.
During this transition, colleagues have also successfully adopted a new Digital Clinical System (DCS).
By moving their safety checks and patient monitoring over to this electronic platform, they were able to prove that patient safety can actually be enhanced, rather than disrupted, by new technology.
Pressure ulcers can have a significant impact on a patient’s recovery and quality of life.
The Ward 5 team continues to monitor patient safety metrics closely, ensuring that these high standards of care are sustained as the service continues to support our local communities.
ENDS
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