Judy Waterlow created the Waterlow Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment/Policy in 1985, and updated it in 2005. The Waterlow risk assessment is used by most NHS hospitals as well as all over the world.  Judy Waterlow received an MBE for her services to health. She managed to achieve this even though she had crippling Rheumatoid Arthritis from the age of 32 years.

The Waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment/prevention policy tool is, by far, the most frequently used system in the U.K. and it is also the most easily understood and used by nurses dealing directly with patient/clients.

One side illustrates the risk assessment scoring system. The reverse side provides guidance on nursing care, types of preventative aids associated with the three levels of risk status, wound assessment and dressings.

Intended for use by nurses, healthcare professionals and carers at the patient/client interface.

It must be remembered that "Waterlow", like all risk assessment scoring systems is a simplistic tool. Professional judgement must be used in determining the risk status of the patient/client. All assessments and, just as importantly, reassessments must be documented and the plan of care adjusted as necessary.

When the Waterlow card is being used in the Community or in the Nursing and Residential homes it is vital to recognise that this environment is markedly different from the one in which the scoring system was developed.

The Waterlow Manual provides comprehensive guidance on the use of the Waterlow scoring system.

Judy officially retired on medical grounds in 1988, due to the increasing severity of her rheumatoid arthritis, she has continued her efforts to improve nurse education and patient care with her work for the Tissue Viability Society, serving on the Committee and organising the TVS Regional Study Days for 13 years, Challenging Arthritis, the NHS Expert Patient Programme and latterly as a Musgrove Hospital Partner. The Partners are a group of unpaid volunteers who work with hospital staff in various ways within the hospital, where their personal expertise and experience can be of value. This dedication to her profession both in hospital and in the community was recognised by the award of the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list published on June 14th 2008. At an Awards Ceremony hosted by the British Journal of Nursing in London on 22nd March 2013 Judy was awarded a Special Award for her services to nursing. Unfortunately Judy’s poor health precluded her attendance, so the award was collected by her 2 daughters Fiona and Sarah which was presented by Esther Rantzen.

Her website is www.judy-waterlow.co.uk