Vote now! Wrexham Maelor staff in the running to receive Seren Betsi Gold Award

Staff at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital are in the running to receive the Seren Betsi Gold Award at this year’s BCUHB Achievement Awards.

The Seren Betsi Award is presented each month to a member of staff, team or volunteer in the Health Board in recognition of their efforts to go above and beyond.

Each month health board staff vote for a monthly winner. However the annual overall star of the year is selected thanks to votes from the general public.

The winner will be revealed at the BCUHB Achievement Awards on the 1 November 2019 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno.

The nominations for Wrexham area:

Cath Young & Lisa Scutt

Wrexham Maelor Emergency Department Sisters Cath Young and Lisa Scutt were recognised for their work to support people living with dementia who visit the unit.

The dynamic duo created a training programme which helps staff to understand how they can support dementia patients, introduced the ‘butterfly’ system at triage to help identify patients with memory problems, and worked to make the environment more dementia friendly.

Amber Wynne and Samantha Carvell

Pharmacy colleagues Amber and Samantha were won earlier this year after being nominated for the support they provided to a colleague who was finding work difficult following mental health issues.

The Wrexham-based pair have worked to provide outstanding support for their team, helping them feel safe and happy in the workplace, and challenging the stigma associated with mental health.

Rhian Houseman

Wrexham Midwife Rhian Houseman was nominated for her efforts to support a Bala mum who struggled to breastfeed after the birth of her daughter.

Rhian went out of her way to provide extra emotional support and guidance to mum Nerys Sidall, which helped baby Miriam go on to breastfeed for a full year.

Gwanwyn Ward

Staff on Gwanwyn Ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital were thanked for the care they deliver to meet the complex needs of people in the later stages of dementia.

The staff manage difficult and distressing situations on a daily basis, but provide outstanding, sensitive care, treating patients with the respect they and their families deserve.

Other nominations across Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board include:

Joanne Carribine

The star matron with the Gwynedd Community Learning Disability Team is described as a ‘shining light’ by her colleagues.

Joanne, who has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years, was recognised for her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis to deliver the very best care to adults with a learning disability.

Pat Evans

Pat, a User Involvement Facilitator in cancer services across North Wales, was recognised for setting up the North Wales Cancer Patient Forum, a voluntary group of people affected by cancer.

The group provides an opportunity for people affected by cancer to share their views and experiences of care in North Wales, allowing them to meet with clinicians and healthcare professionals and have a voice in developments within cancer services.

Laura McManus

Robin volunteer Laura was nominated by her colleagues at Dolgellau Hospital for being a “beautifully calming influence” as part of her work supporting patients.

As well as offering care and companionship to patients at Dolgellau Hospital, Laura also chips in with administrative work, and has raised £100 towards furniture for the ward.

Roger Harvey

Early-bird Robin Roger heads out in all weathers to deliver magazines and newspapers to patients staying at Abergele Hospital.

Inspired to support patients after he was treated at Glan Clwyd Hospital in 2005, Roger makes daily trips to the hospital to chat with people staying at the hospital and ensure they can read the day’s news.

Leisa Jones

Critical Care nurse Leisa was thanked by the family of a terminally ill patient for the outstanding care she provided on Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Intensive Care Unit.

Leisa, described as a “perfect nurse”, went above and beyond the call of duty, even nipping out to pick up replacement hearing aid batteries for one of the family members.

Nurse Recruitment Team

The nursing recruitment team have worked to boost staff numbers on hospital wards.

The team took to social media to promote vacancies, and have streamlined the process of recruiting staff and advertising jobs.

Nans Jones

Gwynedd Children’s Acute Health Liaison Team nurse Nans Jones was recognised for helping set up the one-of-a-kind service, which helps ensure the complex needs of children with disabilities are met when admitted to hospital.

Nans offers expert support and guidance to children and their families who are admitted to hospital, ensuring they have access to information about treatments and appointments in an easy to understand way.

Twix and Sally Moorhouse

Therapy dog Twix and her owner Sally Moorhouse were commended for relieving stress and anxiety of patients on their weekly visits to the Ablett Psychiatric Unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

Twix, 12, was the first therapy dog to be used in a North Wales hospital when she first started visiting the Ablett Unit in 2010, and is credited with improving the self-esteem of patients, increasing their willingness to engage with staff.

You can vote for your winner by visiting the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board website.