Christmas Message from Ms Jennie Smith, President

Dear Members and followers,

As we approach the festive season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all forensic healthcare practitioners. Whether working in sexual assault referral centres or police custody suites, your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality care make a profound difference in people's lives. You are supporting some of the most vulnerable, chaotic, and disenfranchised members of society, often at incredibly low and emotional points. This work is far from easy, but your attention to detail and compassion shine through. Thank you for all you do.

For those who celebrate, Christmas is a time for family, loved ones, and indulgence—sharing meals, laughter, and cherished moments with friends. However, for many of us in forensic healthcare, this time of year brings an intense workload as the rest of the UK slows down. This requires significant sacrifice, often missing out on celebrations to ensure we are there for those who need us most. To all of you working over the holidays, I am deeply moved by your commitment and hope you still find time to rest, recharge, and celebrate in your own way.

Reflecting on the past year, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the UKAFNP Steering Group for their incredible efforts. While we’ve said goodbye to some familiar faces, we’ve welcomed new members brimming with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Change can be challenging, but I am proud of how the team has embraced it.

This year saw some significant milestones:

• We transitioned from UKAFN to UKAFNP across our website and communications, a move requiring extra steps from you, our members. By May, we aim to complete the transition to the new website and payment system.
• We launched a new website, which we hope you’ve had a chance to explore.
• #UKAFNPConf24 was a tremendous success, with attendees reporting transformative experiences from an engaging and informative day.
• Behind the scenes, the UKAFNP team continues to work tirelessly to elevate the profile of forensic healthcare practitioners, ensuring our voices are heard in key conversations.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to build on this progress. We aim to grow our membership and encourage you to share the benefits of joining UKAFNP with your colleagues.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of bite-sized webinars tailored for forensic healthcare practitioners in police custody and SARCs, led by our new Education Officer, Matthew Barker.

Early in the New Year, tickets for #UKAFNPConf25, “Where Two Worlds Collide: HCPs at the Intersection of Law and Clinical Practice,” will go on sale. For the first time, the conference will be available both in-person and online. Members will receive a £30 discount on tickets, helping offset the cost of membership. Keep an eye on our website for updates: www.ukafnp.org/conference.

Thank you once again for your dedication and support throughout the year. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Warmest regards,

Ms Jennie Smith
President, UK Association of Forensic Nurses and Paramedics