For many, the start of the year is an opportunity to reflect on the past, look forward to the future and make a New Year's resolution. Whether it is physical in nature such as RED (Run Every Day) January, health-related such as Dry January or a change of lifestyle such as Veganuary, the hope of creating a better version of oneself is an attractive one. Although the benefits of such changes are easy to see, the realisation of these goals is often far from easy.
Change, by nature, is uncomfortable and as I begin my term as Chair of the Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK (ASCN UK) I find myself well outside my comfort zone. Maddie's final editorial (White, 2021) was one of thanks but also showcased the great work that she has done during her time as Chair of ASCN UK. Those are big shoes to fill. And as the baton is handed over, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Maddie for everything that she has done for the Association and for all of the support she has given me personally, from early on in my career as a stoma care nurse, during my time as Treasurer, and as I have transitioned into this new role as Chair.
Walsch (2005: 491) stated, rather more eloquently than I, that ‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone’. This has certainly been the case for me in the past, both personally and professionally, and as I once more step outside my comfort zone I am confident that this new challenge will be rewarding and create a better version of myself. As a ‘virtuoso’ personality type I am naturally inclined towards exploration and constant improvement so I am hopeful that the future will bring a better version of ASCN UK and the stoma care specialty too. In that respect, this year promises to be one to remember in the world of stoma care.
After a couple of years of COVID-19 driving everyone apart, there is an ever-increasing appetite for face-to-face encounters. COVID-19 has forced us to rethink how we offer our services to patients. Although the devastating effects of the pandemic are all too obvious and you would struggle to find someone who has not been negatively affected in some way, the situation has forced our hands and allowed us to deliver service improvements that might otherwise have taken years to achieve.
As we move into the ‘new normal’ we must ensure that we continue to adapt, innovate, share and deliver crucial support to those who need it.
Something to watch for in 2022 is the Department of Health and Social Care's Medical Technologies Directorate. The new directorate, set up in April 2021, focuses on six main areas (Hudson, 2021):
- Supply chains
- Regulation of product
- Value for money
- Sustainability
- Innovation
- Promoting UK interests in global markets.
The directorate has stoma care on the agenda for 2022. ASCN UK has actively engaged with the directorate to ensure the voice of the stoma care nurse is considered. Although the full scope of the review is yet to be determined, Part IX of the Drug Tariff is a likely target, with the impact that industry has on the specialty being another possible area for review.
With the spotlight shining brightly on the specialty, there is no better time to excel, to showcase the great work you all do and to demonstrate just how important a stoma care nurse is to the health and wellbeing of people with a stoma, new and established alike.
A great stage on which to share best practice is the ASCN UK annual conference. The committee is hard at work putting together the programme, which will be delivered in Harrogate over 9 to 11 October, at a face-to-face event for the first time since 2019. We are looking forward to seeing our colleagues from around the UK and reading the fantastic abstracts that are sure to be submitted in the near future. Details of how to submit an abstract can be found on the ASCN UK website (www.ascnukconference.com).