Excellent work is happening every day in Health Boards and NHS Trusts - we are highlighting some of the people and projects that are making us proud of the NHS in Wales. Follow the links to read the full story.
Velindre Trust awarded University Status
Velindre NHS Trust, the organisation responsible for the Welsh Blood Service and cancer services in south east Wales has been awarded University status. It reflects the growing reputation of the Trust and its frontline service providers - Velindre Cancer Centre and the Welsh Blood Service - as centres of academic excellence in research and development and innovation. Steve Ham, Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust said: “University status represents much more than just a name change. It gives us the platform and credentials to further advance our work which is already attracting the attention of a number of partners who are keen to work with us.”
Read more about what this change means on the Velindre University NHS Trust website.
Testing Warfarin levels in community locations
As part of the Clinical Futures programme, a service testing Warfarin levels for patients has moved into community locations, such as at the Riverfront Theatre in Newport and GP surgeries.
Samantha Jones, Anticoagulation Nurse said: “If they’ve got any problems, if they’ve had any change in medication or they’ve had any bruising or bleeding, we can answer any questions they might have here.”
Watch the short video about how the new location has changed the weekly test experience for patients on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board website.
Hilary Sharp awarded for her All Wales work with BAPIO
Hilary Sharp, Senior Medical Workforce Manager at Cardiff and Vale UHB, was recently awarded for her all-Wales work, leading the Indian organisation British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) on medical training initiatives.
Hilary said: “I am proud of what has been achieved through the work of the BAPIO / Medical Training Initiatives. As well as the considerable savings achieved we have established valuable links and relationships between Wales and India with a view to bringing more emerging talent into the NHS.”
Read about the project and the savings on the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board website.
North Wales Health Board given top award for its support of the armed forces
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is one of four recently announced Welsh winners of the prestigious Gold Award under the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme, which celebrates armed forces friendly employers.
“Because of its championing of its reservist staff and track record of supporting the armed forces community in North Wales, BCUHB has shown itself to be a fantastic ambassador and advocate for defence,” said Tony Fish, Regional Employer Engagement Director for the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association in Wales.
Read what one of the reservists at the Health Board has to say on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board website.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board was also recognised with a Gold Award – two out of only four Gold Awards in Wales is a great achievement for NHS organisations.
Enhanced Care Team providing extra support to patients
Patients who could become confused or agitated while in hospital are being given extra support following the launch of the Enhanced Care Team. The team is made up of healthcare support workers who have additional skills to look after patients who have dementia or challenging behaviours. Clare Tyler, Senior Nurse for Enhanced Care, said: “By establishing this service, team members can develop really lovely relationships with patients. They will work to make people feel comfortable in hospital and prevent patients becoming more frail a lower the risk of falling.”
Read about the support the Enhanced Care Team provide on the Cwm Taf University Health Board website.
Greener Glanrhyd's achievements are flagged up
The green space around Glanrhyd Hospital in Bridgend is teeming with life – otters, bats, birds, foxes and century-old trees – so much so that it has become the first hospital in Wales to secure a Green flag Award. Mark Humphreys, assistant technical services officer (environment) at ABM UHB, said: “To achieve the award we had to be a welcoming place, have a safe environment for people coming on site and also look at the facilities we have got that we could utilise for the general public coming through.”
Find out more about the work at Glanrhyd along with some lovely photos on the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board website.
Brexit Health Hub launched
Public Health Wales’ Policy Team has launched a Brexit Health Hub resource as a guide to current discussions and considerations of the potential policy implications of leaving the EU. The team maintains a weekly ‘reading list’ of guidance, research and Parliamentary reports linked to Brexit, health and the wider determinants of health.
Dr Sumina Azam, Consultant in Public Health, Policy Division, said: “By developing the Brexit Health Hub, we hope to keep professionals updated on the latest evidence and information regarding these possible impacts on their areas of practice.”
Find out more and to subscribe to weekly Brexit Reading List updates visit the Public Health Wales website.
‘Hospital Notes’ key to staff wellbeing
As part of this year’s NHS 70th birthday celebrations, staff at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli came together to form a special choir in recognition of the anniversary. The choir, aptly named ‘Hospital Notes’ entertained patients, visitors and staff throughout the day and was so successful that it is to become a permanent feature for staff. Choir organiser and Clinical Site Manager Gemma Brown said: “Such has been the positive impact of the choir on staff well-being and creating a happy working environment, there was no question that it must continue and the choir is now open to all Hywel Dda employees.”
Find out more about Hospital Notes on the Hywel Dda University Health Board website.
£1.2m to improve and expand renal services in Cardiff
The Welsh Government has announced £1.2m in funding to improve the renal dialysis unit at University Hospital for Wales in Cardiff. The new design for the unit has been clinically led to meet the specific demands of about 20 – 25 highly complex patients who not only require regular dialysis, but who also need key multidisciplinary input from the many specialties that are based within the hospital.
Catherine Wood, Directorate Manager for Nephrology at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “The investment will mean that we are able to deal with renal conditions in a more suitable environment which is tailored to the needs of the patient, enabling staff to deliver the best care possible.”
Find out more about the new unit on the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board website.
RESTORE@theWoodShed
This exciting new project is supporting the service users on Pillmawr ward at St Cadoc's Hospital to gain knowledge and experience of working in a workshop. RESTORE will help the men of the rehabilitation ward make the transition from hospital to community by developing skills such as carpentry, bicycle repairs, upcycling, tiling, plumbing and painting. The aim of the project is to promote independence, confidence and to aid recovery, as well as to raise charitable funds for the ward.
Find out more about the project and how you could help on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board website.
Passing on a passion for improvement
Michael Cameron is a ward manager on the medical assessment unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. The unit is one of a number of teams who are part of the ‘Relieving the pressure’ collaborative which was launched last September to eliminate avoidable pressure ulcers.
“As a registered nurse, you are always reflecting on practice and how to provide the best care and treatment for patients. The focus on pressure ulcers is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a board-wide programme and our team has been actively involved from the start,” said Michael.
Read about how Michael’s team is getting involved and get links to the Relieving the Pressure collaborative on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board website.
Full steam ahead for Minaeron as renovation work begins
Renovation work to transform a former office block in Aberaeron into a brand new Integrated Care Centre with health and social care services has begun after Welsh Government officials gave it the green light. “This is a really exciting time for us all as we continue to develop integrated health and social care facilities for our communities. This will allow us to provide a broad, multi-disciplinary service for local people as close to their homes as possible,” said Bernadine Rees, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board.
Take a look at the services that will be available at the new Aberaeron Integrated Care Centre on the Hywel Dda University Health Board website.
Unique collaboration helps enhance the lives of people with dementia
In what is thought to be the first partnership of its kind in the UK, Applied Behaviour Analysis students from Bangor University’s School of Psychology are working with frontline NHS staff to better understand the behaviour of people living with dementia. “They compliment the existing staff group and if truly embedded in the workings of the ward, can offer an innovative way of assessing and assisting people with dementia, their families and care staff to enhance their quality of life,” said Dr Carolien Lamers, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.
Find out more about the work on the Cemlyn Ward at Cefni Hospital, Anglesey on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board website.
Cwm Taf podiatrist chosen as diabetes champion for Wales
A specialist podiatrist has been selected as a Diabetes UK Cymru Clinical Champion, to help transform care for people living with diabetes in Wales. Jessica Rees, who is based at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, in Llantrisant, was chosen for her passion for and commitment to excellence in diabetes care.
Jessica said: “I am excited to start my new role as a Diabetes UK Cymru Clinical Champion and to make further improvements for patients with diabetic foot ulceration. I will be further developing our Total Contact Casting service in order to improve efficiency and outcomes, minimising the risk of re-ulceration and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of those recovering from diabetic foot ulceration.”
Find out more about the role of a Clinical Champion on the Cwm Taf University Health Board website.
New campaign offers patients green shoots of recovery
Just 10 days in a hospital bed can leave some older patients so weak they will lose the ability to look after themselves independently. Physiotherapists at Gorseinon Hospital in Swansea are part of a new campaign to get patients moving as soon as it’s safe.
“We want to get them out of their bays and out of the hospital mentality,” said community physiotherapist Catrin Treharne. “The benefits of activity for the patient are that it keeps them healthier for longer, they have a better quality of life and are less reliant on the NHS and care workers.”
See what patients think of the new Love Activity Hate Exercise? programme on the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board website.