Last autumn saw the development of a new organisation - the Welsh Wound Network which aims to bring together the many researchers, clinicians and companies with interests in wound healing across Wales. At a recent meeting of this new Network there was a presentation upon the current prevalence of pressure ulcers among orthopaedic patients across Wales. This presentation generated significant debate focused not upon the size and characteristics of the patient population with pressure ulcers but rather upon the commercial value of such data! For many access to such data has clear value - for researchers the data can open new areas for investigation, for clinicians and health service management it may allow rational planning of resource use and for manufacturers it provides a snapshot of the size and nature of their market place. Perhaps one key reason why such data is so valuable is that it is in relative scarce supply! Correcting the lack of comprehensive baseline data upon pressure ulcers (and other wounds) has been seen as a very desirable objective for regional groups such as the Welsh Wound Network. The failure to collect such data also exists at a national level.

It is now 25 years since the last national pressure ulcer prevalence survey was reported in the UK (David et al 1983). This survey, funded by the Department of Health, covered a random sample of hospitals across England with the reported prevalence being 6.65%. This figure is still seen today in government and Department of Health publications that refer to pressure ulcers. This important survey never saw full publication and the data sits in a long out-of-print report to the Department of Health. Surely it is time for national and regional bodies to consider repeating a large-scale survey to identify the current true extent of pressure ulcers within the National Health Service? Without this data we will continue to fail to demonstrate that our actions, interventions and enthusiasm for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment has made the slightest difference to patients vulnerable to pressure ulcer development!

Michael Clark
Editor