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COMMENT
CSJ THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL Editor
Louise Frampton
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com
Technical Editor Kate Woodhead
Journal Administration Katy Cockle
katycockle@stepcomms.com
Design Steven Dillon Publisher
Geoff King
geoffking@stepcomms.com
Publishing Director Trevor Moon
trevormoon@stepcomms.com
THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL is published in January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October and November by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999 Email:
info@clinicalservicesjournal.com Web:
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com
This special 20th anniversary edition of CSJ takes a look back over the past two decades in healthcare – reflecting on changes in operating theatres, gastroenterology, HealthTech, care quality and patient safety, as well as our usual focus on infection prevention, decontamination, innovation and much more.
It is clear that pressures have increased during this time – due to funding and staffing issues, shifting political priorities, and the impact of a global pandemic. We have seen queues of ambulances outside hospitals, the highest levels of dissatisfaction among patients (despite continuing support for the NHS), high levels of burnout and dissatisfaction among staff, a growing backlog that has reached 7 million, and widening health inequalities laid bare by the pandemic.
STEP COMMUNICATIONS
© Step Communications Ltd, 2022 Single copy: £19.00 per issue.
Annual journal subscription: UK £114.00 Overseas: £150.00 ISSN No. 1478-5641
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There has been a lot of talk of being prepared for the arrival of ‘disease X’, over the years and we now have a name for this ‘theoretical’ pathogen – COVID-19. The threat finally became a reality. In truth, we were not as prepared as we had hoped. We didn’t have enough PPE, hospitals were overwhelmed, and it became clear that the ‘global’ supply chain became very much ‘local’, when shortages of vital equipment began to appear. ‘Protectionism’ in some countries led to some difficult discussions and highlighted the criticality of ensuring a resilient supply chain for NHS Trusts. It is important that we learn lessons from this episode in history, so that we are better prepared for disease ‘Y’ and ‘Z’. But this wasn’t the complete picture; in terms of vaccine development, we were actually very well prepared – highlighting the importance of continued investment in vaccine research and development in the UK.
Despite the NHS being under significant
strain, the business of caring for patients continues and it is just as important to reflect on what has gone right, to celebrate it, and share it with others. Boosting staff morale has never been more important (especially in light of current events) and there is lots to celebrate in term of progress achieved. The digital health agenda has advanced at pace, the UK was the first to develop and roll out an effective COVID vaccine,
NOVEMBER 2022
robotics has become mainstream, surgery has become less invasive, and we have seen huge steps forward in genomics and artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Healthcare professionals have shown that MRSA, C.difficile, surgical site infection and pressure ulcers are not an inevitable part of healthcare. Checklists in surgery and care bundles are making healthcare safer and there are lots of examples, across the country, where huge efforts have been made to reduce harm. We saw an outpouring of support for the NHS, across the UK, during the height of the pandemic, and there is no doubt that the public values healthcare professionals like never before.
Despite the NHS being under significant strain, the business of caring for patients continues and it is just as important to reflect on what has gone right, to celebrate it, and share it with others.
Great things can be achieved when staff are empowered – but they must be given the time, resources and investment to deliver improvement and change. As we look forward to the next two decades, we must ensure the NHS is an attractive place to work – where staff feel safe, supported, valued, and rewarded. Only this will ensure that the NHS can continue to deliver on its promise to provide safe, quality care for all, for the next 20 years and beyond...
Louise Frampton l Editor
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com
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Two decades: the highs and lows
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