NHS charity funds health coaching training for clinical nurse specialist

Thanks to generous donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has been able to fund Health Coaching training for Janet Bower, a Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Health coaching is a way to support people to set goals and build confidence to play an active part in their health and wellbeing.

Janet, who supports and cares for people from across the whole of the Hywel Dda Health Board area who have been diagnosed with a primary brain tumour, participated in a four-day Health Coaching training programme.

Janet said: “I’m incredibly grateful that charitable funds have allowed me to undergo the Health Coaching training.

“Applying health coaching principles to a conventional nursing practice is a new and novel approach. Direct benefits will be seen in improving the quality of life, motivation and engagement of people affected by brain tumours.

“As a nurse, we can be focused on treatment pathways or side effects, but it is also important to support people to identify the things that are important to them.

“Since completing this training, I have been able to apply what I learnt to my work in many ways including helping people to improve their sleep or set small but sustainable goals. We learned many practical skills, models of practice and theories as part of the training and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have done it.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk