Since my last editorial, we have a new Prime Minister and we have finally left Europe. So, I hear you cry, what's different? I was pleased to hear Boris Johnson say, ‘Nurses epitomise everything that makes the NHS so revered across the world—skill, compassion, energy and dedication’ (Prime Minister's Office, 2019).
Within 6 days of the last general election came the announcement that, from September 2020, nursing students are to receive a payment of £5000 that they will not have to pay back. An estimated 35 000 students will benefit from this. Good news indeed, but absolutely vital for the future of nursing in the UK. It is part of the pledge to increase nursing numbers by 50 000 over the next 5 years. A further £3000 is available in certain circumstances and thus £8000 may be available for some students (Prime Minister's Office, 2019a).
Students will also be able to continue to access funding for tuition and maintenance loans from the student loan company. All this is good news for nursing and for those of us with one eye on the future and the care we might need ourselves.
While out and about, several Wound Care Alliance UK (WCAUK) members have asked me about the National Wound Care Strategy Programme. This was developed following research that highlighted both a variance in care and significant financial cost (Guest et al, 2015). Adderley (2020) stated that the strategy has been developed from an amalgamation of several previous initiatives including NHS England's Leading Change, Adding Value wound care project (2016) and discussions in the House of Lords (2016 and 2017). The focus is on pressure ulcers, lower limb ulcers and surgical wounds. There are several workstreams, including research, data and information, education and workforce, and supply and distribution. There is also a Stakeholder Council, which oversees three Stakeholder Forums—for suppliers, health and care professionals, and patients, carers and citizens. To receive further information or comment, sign up to the stakeholder forum (http://bit.ly/2RB72yL).
Having clear strategic plans for the future is essential and the trustees of the WCAUK have been busy with their plans. We are very fortunate to have appointed a new trustee, Stella Ashcroft, a podiatrist with experience as a clinical specialist in wound care and tissue viability. If you would like to comment, contribute or even consider becoming a trustee, we can be contacted at info@wcauk.org or via our website (www.wcauk.org).
WCAUK is holding the next Skills Day on 16 April 2020 at Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter, and we are looking forward to meeting you all. As always, it is great to have involvement of the local tissue viability specialists at our events and in the past we have been welcomed in many UK towns and cities, including Glasgow, Chester and Swansea. Your support to us as a charity is really appreciated. If you would like us to come to your area then why not let us know? We can be contacted via the WCAUK website.
I know many of you will attend the Skills Days and conferences in your own time, and many of you have told us that you are happy to do so. You have also told us that the WCAUK videos have been useful. Whichever way you prefer to gain your education, it is important that you keep up to date. Our patients deserve it and the new strategy will demand it.
Finally, another positive event for nursing is the forthcoming BJN Awards. The category supported by the WCAUK is Wound Care Nurse of the Year, which genuinely makes me proud to be a nurse and of course to work within tissue viability. The BJN Awards recognise nurses' commitment and all that ‘skill, compassion, energy and dedication’.
As a nurse, you know you make a difference. I look forward to the Awards and meeting with you all on the night. Good luck!