Maintaining our vision for tissue viability beyond the pandemic

This year has pushed us as people, clinicians, academics, researchers and volunteers to new levels of stamina, courage and compassion. We have worked above and beyond to support our patients and colleagues in practice, our families and communities and to protect the most vulnerable. It is a time to reflect, to grieve for those we have lost and steady ourselves for the months and years to come as we prepare to move out of lockdown.

There also needs to be room to look forward, to maintain vision for ourselves in the field of tissue viability and to use this unique experience to our advantage: to grow and learn so that we make the most of this incredibly difficult situation.

Despite the upheaval, we have seen the field of wound care and nursing produce some important contributions in recent months. Applications to nursing courses in England are up by over a third to 48 830 this year, from 35 960 at the same point last year, a 34% increase (Department of Health and Social Care, 2021). From having interviewed candidates for the upcoming adult nursing programme, I feel enthusiastic that the future of our profession remains bright. We must nurture the next generation, lead by example, and always support questions, innovation and eager minds who want to change, strengthen and explore.