At the beginning of October, Brighton played host to the Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK (ASCN UK) Annual Conference and 10-year anniversary celebrations. This year's theme ‘Making waves and influencing practice’ was appropriate, not only for the seaside venue, but also for the quality of the scientific programme delivered by the workshop groups, industry symposia hosts and keynote speakers, as well as the oral and poster contributors who successfully submitted abstracts. We were treated to an abundance of presentations evidencing the great work that specialist stoma care nurses (SCNs) are undertaking in the UK and abroad. Throughout the two days, it was clearly demonstrated that SCNs are working at an advanced level, with the four pillars of advanced practice comprehensively covered through presentations on advanced clinical practice, education, leadership and management, and research.
It was great to witness best, evidence-based practice shared with hundreds of SCNs from all over the UK and further afield. On several occasions during the two days, there was a call to arms to all SCNs. A number of key people are waiting and wanting to listen to what we as SCNs have to say and now, more than ever, we must use our voices, individually and collectively, to raise our profile, highlight the value we add to our patients' outcomes and to further advance our specialty.
First, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) (2023) has been keen to hear views on its consultation document on updating the Drug Tariff. All clinicians prescribing or recommending medical devices listed on Part IX of the Drug Tariff were invited to respond. The invitation to respond was announced at conference. ASCN UK has responded collectively and eagerly awaits the outcome, which will be shared with members when available. Any future changes could affect your role and the standard of care you are able to offer your patients.
ASCN UK was also thrilled to announce that we are taking the lead on a very exciting project ‘Advancing Stoma Care Services (ASCS): Evidence-based Proposals for a Best Practice Pathway’. The aim of the project is to apply the evidence from research and data gained from SCNs and patients to identify and implement a national pathway. This will therefore identify what best practice in stoma care looks like, including recognition of the importance of the SCN's role within this pathway. How amazing will this be? ASCN UK is actively involved with the multidisciplinary project group, including nursing and medical consultants and specialists, academics, industry representatives and third-sector parties. You are all invited to share your interest and contribute to the project and can read about it here (https://tinyurl.com/43nruayu). Contact our Honorary Treasurer, Natasha Rolls, at Natasha.Rolls@uhbw.nhs.uk to find out more or get involved.
Natasha also shared a video message from Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, inviting us all to reach out to her before the end of the year. Dame Ruth is very keen to hear about your challenges and successes in practice within our specialty of stoma care.
At conference, we also reported some of the valuable data obtained from the State of the Nation survey that will help us to support the specialty and strengthen our standing as SCNs within the healthcare environment. Many services have already responded and given us some beneficial information but if no one in your service has, please do take the time to complete the survey here (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JRPWTXQ).
Even before our 2023 conference was over the call went out for abstract submissions for the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET) ASCN UK Joint Congress 2024, to be held in Glasgow from 28 September to 1 October next year. For information and to submit an abstract visit https://wcet-ascnuk2024.com/abstract-submission.
Now, more than ever, we have an audience. People, very important and influential people, are prepared to listen to what we have to say. Individually, in our teams and collectively as an Association, we can and must work together to make our voices heard, to improve our services and, in doing so, the outcomes for the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives we touch. Help us, to help you, to help our patients.