Tissue Viability Service

What we do

Tissue viability is concerned with skin and soft tissue wounds including acute surgical wounds, pressure ulcers and all forms of leg ulceration.

Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores or pressure sores, are a type of injury that affects areas of the skin and underlying tissue.

Pressure ulcers are caused by poor circulation to tissues due to one or more of:

• Pressure – constant pressure between a surface and part of the body, usually over bony areas such as heels, hips, bottom
• Shear – when layers of skin are forced to slide over one another, for example when you slide down or are pulled up a bed or chair
• Friction – rubbing of the skin

Anyone can get a pressure ulcer, of any age young or old, but the people who are most at risk are the elderly and those in ill health. Our tissue viability team provides specialist advice, support, education and training in all aspects of tissue viability.