S5
Editor Jolene Menezes Commercial Manager Barry Maguire Associate Publisher Julie Smith, Andrew Iafrati Publishing Director Anthony Kerr Managing Director Jon Benson
Editorial board Annemarie Brown Independent Tissue Viability Consultant June Jones Independent Tissue Viability Consultant Fiona Collins Director, National Wound Healing Centres Lee Yarwood-Ross Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
MA Healthcare Ltd is part of the Mark Allen Group
www.markallengroup.com The British Journal of Community Nursing is published by MA Healthcare Ltd, St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PB Tel: +44 (0)20 7738 5454 Website: www.bjcn.co.uk The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editor or the British Journal of Community Nursing. Advertisements in the journal do not imply endorsement of the products or services advertised. © MA Healthcare Ltd, 2015. All rights reserved. No part of the British Journal of Community Nursing or Community Wound Care may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishing Director. ISSN 1462-4753 Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2YA
The paper used within this publication has been sourced from Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturers, operating within international environmental standards, to ensure sustainable sourcing of the raw materials, sustainable production and to minimise our carbon footprint.
Can the outcome of the General Election affect wound care?
I
n preparing for this editorial, I was conscious that while the NHS was
heavily featured during the UK General Election 2015, ‘health’ is a devolved matter for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Essentially, the UK General Election 2015 has the potential to directly affect the NHS in England. The pre-election talk highlighted a potential coalition that could have involved a variety of permutations within the government; however, as you know, the Conservative Party won a majority, which means, we need to turn to the Conservative Party manifesto (2015) for guidance as to what might be in store for wound care in the country. It will not be surprising to find out that wound care does not specifically feature in the manifesto, but there are commitments within the manifesto that could affect wound care and the services provided to patients with wounds. The goal of creating seven-day-a-week access to GPs still has to be reached, but implementing this service could fundamentally change the way in which we deliver care in primary care. It is difficult not to predict such a change being rolled out across all primacy care settings if it is required of GPs. Keeping discussions regarding financing to one side, there is no doubt that such a service development would transform practice, as health professionals would have the ability to prescribe care without reference to a reduced service over the weekend. This is a commitment that, if delivered effectively, could have a significant effect upon our ability to provide joined-up care across all sectors because it would integrate health and social care. This can lead to potential improvements in the level of service that health professionals can provide. Moreover, if it results in enhanced patient-centred collaboration, this in turn could help improve wound care and wound healing. There is a statement in the manifesto (Conservative Party, 2015:37) that I find intriguing:
‘Instead of chasing managerial targets, we have focused on outcomes and performance.’ Could these aims result in a requirement to provide accurate wound healing rates? This would certainly be a driver from improved outcomes. As we move forward post-election, the effect of the General Election 2015 on wound care remains to be seen, but as highlighted above, there could be a significant effect on the service depending on how the manifesto commitments are delivered. David Gray Clinical Director, Healogics Ltd, and Professor of Tissue Viability, Wound Healing Practice Development Unit, Birmingham City University Conservative Party (2015) The Conservative Party Manifestor 2015: Strong Leadership. A Clear Economic Plan. A Brighter, More Secure Future. bit.ly/1ezthNJ (accessed 28 May 2015)
Cover image: iStock/kosmos111
Community Wound Care June 2015 Journal of Community Nursing. Downloaded from magonlinelibrary.com by 130.194.020.173 on November 25, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. . All rights re
Editor Jolene Menezes Commercial Manager Barry Maguire Associate Publisher Julie Smith, Andrew Iafrati Publishing Director Anthony Kerr Managing Director Jon Benson
Editorial board Annemarie Brown Independent Tissue Viability Consultant June Jones Independent Tissue Viability Consultant Fiona Collins Director, National Wound Healing Centres Lee Yarwood-Ross Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University
MA Healthcare Ltd is part of the Mark Allen Group
www.markallengroup.com The British Journal of Community Nursing is published by MA Healthcare Ltd, St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PB Tel: +44 (0)20 7738 5454 Website: www.bjcn.co.uk The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editor or the British Journal of Community Nursing. Advertisements in the journal do not imply endorsement of the products or services advertised. © MA Healthcare Ltd, 2015. All rights reserved. No part of the British Journal of Community Nursing or Community Wound Care may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishing Director. ISSN 1462-4753 Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2YA
The paper used within this publication has been sourced from Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturers, operating within international environmental standards, to ensure sustainable sourcing of the raw materials, sustainable production and to minimise our carbon footprint.
Can the outcome of the General Election affect wound care?
I
n preparing for this editorial, I was conscious that while the NHS was
heavily featured during the UK General Election 2015, ‘health’ is a devolved matter for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Essentially, the UK General Election 2015 has the potential to directly affect the NHS in England. The pre-election talk highlighted a potential coalition that could have involved a variety of permutations within the government; however, as you know, the Conservative Party won a majority, which means, we need to turn to the Conservative Party manifesto (2015) for guidance as to what might be in store for wound care in the country. It will not be surprising to find out that wound care does not specifically feature in the manifesto, but there are commitments within the manifesto that could affect wound care and the services provided to patients with wounds. The goal of creating seven-day-a-week access to GPs still has to be reached, but implementing this service could fundamentally change the way in which we deliver care in primary care. It is difficult not to predict such a change being rolled out across all primacy care settings if it is required of GPs. Keeping discussions regarding financing to one side, there is no doubt that such a service development would transform practice, as health professionals would have the ability to prescribe care without reference to a reduced service over the weekend. This is a commitment that, if delivered effectively, could have a significant effect upon our ability to provide joined-up care across all sectors because it would integrate health and social care. This can lead to potential improvements in the level of service that health professionals can provide. Moreover, if it results in enhanced patient-centred collaboration, this in turn could help improve wound care and wound healing. There is a statement in the manifesto (Conservative Party, 2015:37) that I find intriguing:
‘Instead of chasing managerial targets, we have focused on outcomes and performance.’ Could these aims result in a requirement to provide accurate wound healing rates? This would certainly be a driver from improved outcomes. As we move forward post-election, the effect of the General Election 2015 on wound care remains to be seen, but as highlighted above, there could be a significant effect on the service depending on how the manifesto commitments are delivered. David Gray Clinical Director, Healogics Ltd, and Professor of Tissue Viability, Wound Healing Practice Development Unit, Birmingham City University Conservative Party (2015) The Conservative Party Manifestor 2015: Strong Leadership. A Clear Economic Plan. A Brighter, More Secure Future. bit.ly/1ezthNJ (accessed 28 May 2015)
Cover image: iStock/kosmos111
Community Wound Care June 2015 Journal of Community Nursing. Downloaded from magonlinelibrary.com by 130.194.020.173 on November 25, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. . All rights re
