It has been a long hot summer which seems to be promising to linger just a little bit longer. Let’s hope for a glorious Indian summer. With regards to advancing the wound care agenda, we saw real progress being made with the publication of two important NHS documents — the Pressure Ulcers: Revised Definition and the new Measurement Framework Pressure Ulcer Core Curriculum. Furthermore, we received the confirmation of the much-needed national wound care strategy, which Una Adderley has been spearheading as Programme Director since the beginning of September. The Stop the Pressure programme continues and we will be launching some interesting and fun initiatives for Stop the Pressure Day on 15th November.

Remembering two great colleagues

The summer has, however, also been tinged with great sadness at the very unexpected loss of two of our TVN colleagues, Colin Iversen and Dianne Brett. Both were highly experienced and skilled TVNs, who advanced best practice in their respective environments. I got to know Colin as a student and engaged with Dianne both as a colleague and a friend. It is hard to believe that I won’t see them again and having spoken to many of their colleagues, I know they will be greatly missed. Both of them were described as kind, patient, prepared to give their time, great mentors and coaches for those who worked with them – as well as being great clinicians; they were the typical unsung heroes. I don’t believe either of them were aware how well respected and loved they were, our speciality is much poorer for their loss.

Bursaries and conferences

There has been a huge amount of discussion about bursaries and support for attending conferences; with the changes in the MedTech rulings meaning that many are struggling to obtain commercial sponsorship to attend Harrogate and other events. Some MedTech Europe and Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) members may prefer to provide an educational grant to your Trust or healthcare organisation. In this case, the organisation (not you individually) will need to make a request in writing on your or your team’s behalf.

There are a significant number of companies who are not members of a trade body and, whilst they also uphold the highest ethical standards, they are able to continue providing direct support to clinical staff and will apply their own compliance rules accordingly.

We are pleased that there are many who have obtained funding for this year’s Harrogate conference and we hope that you will enjoy the excellent programme we have put together. We’ve replaced the traditional last day debate with a court room: you will be briefed on the legal case on Monday and get updates of the evidence throughout the event. On Wednesday, we have a team of barristers in the court and you will be given an opportunity to vote on what you believe the outcome should be — before the legal experts make their decision. It should be a really useful, as well as fun, session. There are additional clinical and scientific meetings and we hope to increase the number of free papers. On the frivolous side, we are also picking up on the excitement that Tiara Tuesday generated and hosting a Masquerade Ball (with evening gloves too!). Wounds UK awards have been re-introduced as it is always a great pleasure to recognise the amazing work that is being undertaken. We are also supporting #TVN2gether and there will be a whole zone for encouraging networking and support with a list of challenges to encourage creative education delivery — look out for these arriving via your regional groups and the Facebook group.

Enjoy what is left of the summer — make the most of every day whilst you have the opportunity, take time for your family and friends and don’t get too overburdened with work. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Harrogate
in November.