Key issues in an election year

A General Election is an opportunity. So important is the government to the delivery of the NHS that, as a nurse, the coverage will be compelling viewing and listening for me. The productivity of the NHS is under scrutiny and there can be no doubt that there is a need to deliver better outcomes for the people of the UK.

One important issue is the lack of a clear strategy on social care, which has led to a crisis that has impacted the NHS. This needs to be a priority. Another issue is patients waiting on trolleys. In 2023, 35 000 patients waited for 12 hours on hospital trolleys every month in England (Lee, 2024). Working in tissue viability, my concern, apart from people waiting in discomfort or pain, is that this poses a significant challenge to pressure ulcer prevention.

Wound Care Alliance UK (WCAUK) is undertaking a scoping exercise regarding pressure ulcers in response to questions from WCAUK members. The questionnaire has been developed with master's students at Birmingham City University and the WCAUK trustees. It will only take a few minutes to complete, and your time is much appreciated. The questionnaire can be found at https://forms.gle/uV5hYQTEnmGJZjqn8 or use the QR code below. There is also a QR code for WCAUK membership.