75 years of the NHS: together we can meet our lofty ideals

Sustainability - a buzzword that applies to so many aspects of our lives in 2023 – is also a key issue for the NHS. That the sustainability of the NHS is a significant concern has placed it high up the public agenda. At 75 years of age, our cherished NHS is part of the UK national story and everyone has their own relationship with it. Early this year, NHS England (2023a) released its 2023/24 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance, which addresses the need to recover core services and productivity, make progress in delivering the aspirations set out in The NHS Long Term Plan and transform the health and care sector to meet future needs.

These are all lofty ideals, so let us consider these in the context of wound care. Variations in care have been highlighted within the specialty, with the National Wound Care Strategy Programme (NWCSP) (NHS England, 2023b) developing a range of resources to address the issue of suboptimal care. The programme has also addressed the issue of sustainability.