<p>In response to the Culyer initiative (NHSE 1997) to bring research and practice closer together and develop a culture of ‘evidence-based practice’ for nursing, researchers in Sheffield designed a study to identify the barriers to research utilisation and develop a strategy for change using pressure damage prevention. This formed the clinical topic in a trust-wide project at the Northern General Hospital Trust, Sheffield. This article describes the part of the project referring to the issues of pressure damage prevention.</p>