Local NHS staff celebrate awards success

Staff from across health care in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have been congratulated on a number of award successes at this year’s new Hywel’s Applause event.

In recognition of the successes, achievements and contribution from its staff, Hywel Dda University Health Board held a virtual awards event on 7 December 2022. Staff were nominated for awards across a range of categories by their colleagues and shortlisted by independent staff panels, including members of our trade unions The winners were announced at the virtual event, which also featured an introduction by Dr Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer in Wales and a short message from Welsh rugby star Shane Williams.

Chief Executive Steve Moore rounded off the event by saying: “The people I work with every day in the health and care system are truly remarkable. I am incredibly proud of all the winners and finalists recognised in these awards for their contribution to supporting and delivering services to our local population. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do.”

The finalists and winners were:

Living our Values Award:

Winner: Overseas Liaison Nurses for their commitment to embedding the health board’s organisational values at every level.
Runners up: Gwenllian Ward, Bronglais Hospital and the Vaccination Team in Carmarthen.
Best Use of Language Award:

Winner: Karen Shearsmith-Farthing, Occupational Therapy Dementia Lead for introducing a Welsh version of ‘the journey through dementia’ programme.
Runners up: Georgina Kersey Education and Development Officer and Non Elias Communication Development Officer.
Innovating and Inspiring Practice Award:

Winner: Dr Savita Shanbhag GP Cancer Lead for her development and pilot of LUMEN, an innovative nurse-led telephone screening service for lung cancer symptom assessment.
Runners up: The Children and Young People’s Physiotherapy Group, and Speech Language Therapists Libby Jefferies and Mererid Davies.
Supportive Colleague Award:

Winners: Joanne Phillips Community Nurse, and Susan Griffiths Senior Physiotherapy Manager for always being there to help and support colleagues, having a positive impact on their colleagues’ day
Runners up: Angela Watkins, Patient Advice and Liaison Services Officer, and Catherine Bowdler Nurse at Gerontology Day Hospital.
Patient’s Voice Award:

Winner: Jasmine Raymond Nurse from Withybush Hospital for being welcoming and ensuring families were coping whilst their loved one was in her care.
Runners up: Teifi Ward in Glangwili Hospital and Ward 5 in Prince Philip Hospital.
Rising Star Award:

Winner: Amelia Davies Community Child Health Nurse at Pennar Flying Start for empowering, building confidence of the families she supports.
Runners up: Catherine Regola Junior Sister, Special Care Baby Unit, Glangwili Hospital, Claire Phelps, Assistant Practitioner at Pembroke Dock Health Centre, and Colette Lloyd Project Manager, Teledermoscopy at Withybush Hospital.
Volunteer of the Year Award:

Winner: Heledd Lloyd Volunteer at Bronglais Hospital for her role as a befriender, supporting the outpatients department, and for mentoring new volunteers.
Runners up: Mass Vaccination Centre Volunteers, and Penny Randell Volunteer Tutor.
Unsung Hero Award:

Winners: Jo Rudd, Health Visiting Assistant Practitioner at Prince Philip Hospital for the positive impact on health visitors from an evidence-based approach, and Lynsey Ponsonby-Lewes, Assistant Practitioner at the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) for being a shining example of understanding pressures and encouraging others.
Runners up: Alys Thomas, PA to the Head of People and Organisational Effectiveness, Euryl Howells, Chaplain at Glangwili Hospital, Jan Calford, Domestic at Ty Bryngwyn and Natalie Rees, Healthcare Support Worker at Withybush Hospital.
Diversity and Inclusion Award:

Winner: Augusta Stafford-Umughele, Workforce Culture Diversity and Inclusion Manager for working tirelessly to try resolve issues for many employees across the health board.
Runners up: Beverly Davies, Strategic Partnership and Inclusion Manager, and Dr Tipswalo, Day Doctor at Glangwili Hospital.
Well-being Award:

Winner: Leony Davies, Health Intervention Lead, Occupational Therapy for her work as the founding member and driver of the Well-being Champion Network.
Runners up: Carly Butler and Catherine Ruff, Team Secretary and Workforce Advisor respectively at Bronglais Hospital and Jennifer Pearce, Midwife at Glangwili Hospital.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Winner: Buddug Roberts, Nurse at Withybush Hospital who has given over 50 years’ service to patients and the health board.

Runners up: Karen Jones, Senior Nurse, Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital, and Liz Duffy, Macmillan Cancer Information Support Officer at Glangwili Hospital.