Photo Credit: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Hywel Dda University Health Board is celebrating success at the NHS Wales Awards 2026, with a team recognised for improving care for people with learning disabilities across west Wales.
The award recognises an initiative that helps identify patients with learning disabilities early in their hospital journey, enabling appropriate support and reasonable adjustments. The project team received the NHS Wales Awards Timely Care Award at a celebration event in Cardiff on 12 November 2026.
Using the NHS Wales ‘Purple Dot’ system, this quality improvement project raises staff awareness, standardises terminology, improves referral processes and promotes the use of reasonable adjustments. It enables healthcare teams to provide personalised care, improve communication, reduce health inequalities, and enhance patient safety and experience.
The project has also strengthened staff knowledge and engagement, helping to create a more inclusive and person-centred approach to care across the organisation.
Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive at the Health Board said: “We’re incredibly proud to see this work recognised at a national level. People with learning disabilities can face barriers to healthcare and this project demonstrates our commitment to reducing inequalities and providing personalised support through the hard work of our team members.
“By improving early identification and promoting reasonable adjustments, our teams are helping to create safer, more inclusive and compassionate care across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. The work has increased awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities among teams across the health board.
“This award reflects the dedication and collaboration of colleagues across Hywel Dda who work every day to improve care and outcomes for our patients.”
Hosted by NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, the NHS Wales Awards (opens in new tab) showcase projects improving quality, safety and performance across Wales.
Representatives from across NHS Wales celebrated excellence, exchanged ideas and highlighted how successful innovations can benefit people and services throughout Wales.
Guests also heard from a range of senior leaders including:
- Mabon ap Gwynfor, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Jacqueline Totterdell, Director General for Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales
- Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales
- Dame Sue Tranka, Chief Nursing Officer for Wales
The NHS Wales Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the exceptional work taking place across health and care services, celebrating innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
