Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

It was a night of success for the Hywel Dda nursing team with three winners and two runners up at this year’s RCN Wales Nurse of Year Awards 2016. These annual awards celebrate nurses who demonstrate excellence in practice, a passion for the nursing profession and exemplify distinction in care, leadership, service and innovation. Huge congratulations go to Jane James, Tissue Viability Clinical Nurse Specialist, named the winner of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Award, Linzi Shone, Senior Ward Sister on Ystwyth ward at Bronglais Hospital won the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award and there was a hat-trick with Jacqueline Jones winning the Community Nursing Award. Also up on the night were Margaret Meleady, Clinical Lead Theraputic Day Services, for the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Award and Sarah Jones, Senior Research Nurse and Dr Helen Trench, Research Nurse for the Research in Nursing Award. Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Bernardine Rees OBE said: “I am incredi...

Maureen Jones, Senior Midwife at Bronglais Hospital and Tracey Davies, Tissue Viability Health Care Support Worker at Glangwili Hospital were both winners at the Royal College of Nursing in Wales’ inaugural Nurse of the Year Awards. At a gala event in Cardiff, Maureen was announced the winner of the Children and Midwifery award for her commitment to delivering education and training programmes for midwives, pediatricians and Health Care Support Workers to enhance the contribution of all members of the team in an emergency situation. Due to her skills, expertise and demonstrated excellence in her field of practice Maureen has assisted with many neo-natal resuscitations and has been praised by many parents for her contribution to the care of their babies. Tracey was nominated and won the Health Care Support Worker Award for her support in nurse led clinics, helping to ensure an efficient service and short waiting lists, and helping to ensure effective use of negative pressure machines...

Linda Phillips, Community Learning and Disability Nurse in Llanelli has been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse by community nursing charity The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI).  Linda was one of 62 nurses nationwide awarded the title at the charity’s ceremony, held at The Commonwealth Club in London. Linda has worked within the community learning and disability team, based in Llanelli town centre, for 10 years. Speaking about her award, Linda said: “I am really honoured to receive this title. There is a lot of good work being delivered by community nurses that maybe is not known or seen by many. Providing care within people’s homes can make a huge difference and I love working within a great team of four learning and disability community nurses here in Llanelli.” Linda applied for the title after receiving a first class honours degree in Community Health Studies last year, 20 years after completing the first qualification of her career. As part of her degree...

A Llanelli mum has set her sights on a rewarding career in nursing, thanks to the support of two Carmarthenshire organisations. Kelly Davies, a mother of three boys, had always dreamed of being a nurse and helping others, but did not feel she was able to pursue her ambition due to a lack of confidence and being unable to finance childcare for her children, which would enable her to access the required qualifications. But two years ago, Kelly got in touch with Genesis - a European Social Funded project which aims to improve life for families by providing support to remove barriers that prevent them from accessing training, education or employment. With the support of a dedicated advisor, Kelly was able to enrol on a course at Coleg Sir Gâr to study an Access to Health course, during which she was awarded Student of the Year. She has now progressed on to Swansea University where she is studying nursing – supported by the team at Flying Start Carmarthenshire. Flying Start - a Welsh...