<p>Inspiration for the title of this year’s Wounds UK Annual Conference ‘Overcoming the challenges in delivering clinical excellence’, came from the notion that achieving high standards of care delivery in 2015 is often difficult. Clinicians report that the ever-increasing workload and lack of resources mean that, on occasion, they are faced with the prospect of ‘simply achieving the best we can do’. This frustrating situation places enormous stress on so many conscientious practitioners who always want to give the very best care in an increasingly demanding environment. </p>