As I look forward to 2021—with my New Year plans limited to six of course—I have been reflecting on what a different year this has been in the tissue viability world. I have missed you, I really have. I really do enjoy meeting with you at Wound Care Alliance UK (WCAUK) events and the events put on by MA Healthcare, Wounds UK, Wound Care People, HCUK and others. I enjoy the interaction, the academic and clinical discussions, the varying views and even the paradigm shifts.
Of course, we have been able to access online forums, discussions and education, and the Facebook and Twitter discussions. For some, the ease of access, the lack of travel with the accompanying reduced costs and time, has made getting involved easier. There have been a range of online conferences available including EWMA 2020 and the Wounds UK Conference, but what may be of particular interest is Wound Expo 2020 on 1 and 2 December. This will be a virtual event and you can register and book sessions to suit you at https://woundexpo.com.
In the recent WCAUK survey in which over 1000 of the 4500 members responded, you were 50% split about the WCAUK developing online or providing face-to-face education. I suspect the results will change the longer the coronavirus pandemic continues. I am sure that, like me, many of you wish it would all just go away. But wishing does not make it so. We will all have to adjust to new ways of thinking. Perhaps this is the paradigm shift …
Further results from the survey will be available on the WCAUK website when the board of trustees has had the opportunity to fully digest the results and develop a strategic response to the members' views.
The pandemic has shifted a focus on to health and, in particular, the equity of provision of NHS care. A leading article in The Sunday Times (2020) alleged that elderly patients were not given the care they would have received before the pandemic in order to prevent the NHS from being overrun. However, this is disputed by NHS England (2020).
Accounting for care, tracking decisions and reporting outcomes are all a part of the NHS, as is scrutiny, reflection and learning. There are many things we can learn from the pandemic and certainly our ‘preparedness’ will be reviewed. Let us all hope that this is done independently and done well.
The importance of a clearly thought out strategy that is appropriately funded is important in all aspects of health care. Tissue viability is no different and, as we look forward to 2021, it will be essential for the National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP) to deliver on its strategies. This will affect us all in tissue viability, but hopefully the impact will be measurable, significant and equitable. The NWCSP is currently looking to recruit patients and carers living in England who have experiences of surgical wounds, pressure ulcers or lower limb ulcers (excluding diabetic foot ulcers) to join the programme to help ensure that their needs are fully considered. For further details contact Frances Shaw, NWCSP admin office, at frances.shaw@yhahsn.com
The issue of self-care will, of course, become more important and the Legs Matter campaign has highlighted the challenge of delivering lower leg care during the pandemic. There have undoubtedly been problems, but this challenge also offers opportunities. Self-care, especially in the case of uncomplicated lower leg ulceration, may benefit the patient who can take control of their own condition and leg health. Many are considering new modes of compression, including hosiery treatment kits, which offer consistent compression, and that can be applied independently. Another paradigm shift in nursing?
Self-care week runs from 16 to 22 November 2020 with the aim of raising awareness of the benefits of self-care. The Royal College of Nursing is urging all nurses to reconsider how they care for themselves (https://tinyurl.com/y8n5t5sp). This year has been challenging and nurses should consider adopting some self-care strategies, including a focus on both physical and mental health.
Finally, I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a COVID-19-free 2021.