European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
The “European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel” was created in London in December 1996 to lead and support all European countries in the efforts to prevent and treat pressure ulcers. At its inaugural meeting in London in December 1996, which included experts from many European countries, the group of over twenty agreed their mission statement and the initial Executive Board and Trustees.
Our Mission
“To provide relief for persons suffering from, or at risk of, pressure ulcers, through research and the education of the public and by influencing pressure ulcer policy in all European countries towards an adequate patient centred and cost effective pressure ulcer care.”
The EPUAP has produced an academic text book on pressure ulcers and developed guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment that are used all over Europe.
Our priorities for the next decade are:
• To assist with implementation of the guidelines in different countries and to update the guidelines where necessary.
• A growth of the society and increased representation across Europe to improve the visibility of EPUAP.
• To strengthen the research profile and play an important role in awareness and education.
Our Vision
The EPUAP provides platform for clinicians, researchers, educators, policy makers, industry and the public to collaboratively work on improved health outcomes for those at risk or suffering from pressure ulcers. EPUAP provides EU wide education and campaigns with accessible resources for clinicians and the public and supports international and interdisciplinary research activities and partnership. An important focus is the development of cross-continent international clinical guidelines to support practitioners in making informed decisions about interventions for prevention and treatment.
Executive Board
Andrea pokorná
EPUAP President, Czechia
Tom O'Connor
EPUAP President Elect, Ireland
Susanne Coleman
EPUAP Co-Treasurer, United Kingdom
Jane Nixon
EPUAP Co-Treasurer, Gudielines Committee Co-Chair, United Kingdom
Maarit Ahtiala
Chair Of EPUAP Annual Meeting 2025, Finland
Dominique Sigaudo-Roussel
EPUAP Scientific Committee, Chair, France
Pierre-Yves Rohan
EPUAP Research Committee, Chair, France
Steven Smet
EPUAP Education Committee, Chair, Belgium
Beáta Grešš Halász
EPUAP Education Committee, Co-Chair, Slovakia
Current Trustees
Kirsti Ahmajärvi (Finland)
Maarit Ahtiala (Finland)
Carina Bååth (Sweden)
Katrin Balzer (Germany)
Joan-Enric Torra i Bou (Spain)
Silvia Caggiari (United Kingdom)
Lucie Charbonneau (Switzerland)
Guido Ciprandi (Italy)
Rosemarie Derwin (Ireland)
Beáta Grešš Halász (Slovakia)
Ingebjørg Irgens (Norway)
Ulrika Källman (Sweden)
Jane Nixon (UK)
Tom O’Connor (Ireland)
Andrea Pokorná (Czech Republic)
Alison Porter-Armstrong (UK)
Pierre-Yves Rohan (France)
Pedro Sardo (Portugal)
Dominique Sigaudo-Roussel (France)
Knærke Søgaard (Denmark)
Steven Smet (Belgium)
Camilla Leerskov Sørensen (Denmark)
Helen Strapp (Ireland)
Daphne Weihs (Israel)
Peter Worsley (United Kingdom)
Committees
EPUAP SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
The Scientific Committee works in close collaboration with the local organisers of the Annual Conferences. The mission of the Scientific Committee is to provide the Executive Board of EPUAP with independent advice on issues relating to (1) the development of the scientific programme of the Annual Conferences, (2) the peer-review process of abstract submissions and (3) awarding the yearly EPUAP Experienced and Novice Investigator Awards.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Dominique Sigaudo-Roussel (Chair)
Tom O’Connor
Lucie Charbonneau
Guido Ciprandi
Kirsti Ahmajärvi
Carina Bååth
Knaerke Soegaard
Steven Smet
Daphne Weihs
Rosemarie Derwin
EPUAP EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The EPUAP education committee develops the educational framework that will incorporate the key topics related to pressure ulcers. The committee approves all EPUAP educational activities such as webinars and podcasts, the scientific programme of EPUAP Masterclass and Focus Meeting. The committee members work on defining a pressure ulcer curriculum and come up with innovative ideas and campaigns for the STOP Pressure Ulcer Day.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Steven Smet (Chair)
Beáta Grešš Halász (Co-Chair)
Andrea Pokorná
Lucie Charbonneau
Camilla Leerskov Sørensen
Helen Strapp
Maarit Ahtiala
Ulrika Källman
EPUAP RESEARCH COMMITTEE
The mission of the Research Committee is to provide the Executive Board of EPUAP with independent advice on issues relating to the development and delivery of a research strategy which promotes international research collaborations and internationally excellent research. The Research Committee works in close collaboration with the Scientific Committee and is in charge of research funding.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Pierre-Yves Rohan (Chair)
Joan-Enric Torra i Bou
Carina Bååth
Ingebjorg Irgens
Daphne Weihs
EPUAP GUIDELINES COMMITTEE
Pressure ulcer management needs to be evidence-based. Clinical practice guidelines help practitioners to make informed decisions about the most appropriate interventions. The Guidelines Committee supports the development, update, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based guidance to improve the quality of pressure ulcer care.
CURRENT MEMBERS
Zena Moore (Chair)
Jane Nixon (Co-Chair)
Katrin Balzer
Jan Kottner
Maarit Ahtiala (Translations)
Past Presidents
Since its beginning in 1997 the EPUAP has been fortunate to have a series of key European experts as President. The Trustees of the EPUAP would like to thank the following Past Presidents for their efforts to help the EPUAP grow and develop.
2021 – 2023: Dr. Jan Kottner (Germany)
2019-2021: Professor Dimitri Beeckman (Belgium)
2017-2019: Professor Jane Nixon (United Kingdom)
2015-2017: Professor Lisette Schoonhoven (The Netherlands)
2013-2015: Professor Amit Gefen (Israel)
2011-2013: Professor Michael Clark (United Kingdom)
2009-2011: Professor Cees Oomens (The Netherlands)
2007-2009: Dr Carol Dealey (United Kingdom)
2005-2007: Professor Tom Defloor (Belgium)
2003-2005: Dr Denis Colin (France)
2001-2003: Professor Marco Romanelli (Italy)
1999-2001: Professor Jeen Haalboom (The Netherlands)
1997-1999: Professor Keith Harding (Wales)