IT WAS another night of success for Hywel Dda University Health Board’s nursing team with two winners and one runner up at this year’s Royal College of Nurses (RCN) Wales Nurse of the Year Awards.

The prestigious annual awards took place in Cardiff on Thursday (Nov 21) to celebrate the innovation and excellence in practice, acknowledging the outstanding efforts, commitment and achievements of our nursing community across Wales.

Many congratulations go to Claire Hurlin, Strategic Head of Community and Chronic Conditions Management, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award and Donna Major, Senior Ward Sister, winner of the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award. Bianca Oakley, Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, was awarded runner up in the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award.

Sharon Daniel, Interim Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the health board said: “I’m delighted and very proud that our nurses in Hywel Dda have been recognised again in this annual event. The awards provide a great opportunity for nurses, students, support workers and midwives to showcase the difference they make to the lives of people we care for. Congratulations to you all.”

Claire Hurlin, Strategic Head of Community and Chronic Conditions Management won the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work to construct the trial of an asthma interface nurse, linking together pharma, primary care and specialist difficult asthma care. As a result, the team has expanded, resulting in more patients receiving specialist treatments.

She commented: “It is a real privilege to accept this award. I am grateful to be in a profession that I am passionate about and had the opportunity to work with so many nurses and health care professionals to make a difference.”  

Donna Major, Senior Ward Sister, winner of the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award for her work to improve the care of frailty and dementia patients. She explored innovative ways of improving safety and outcomes for patients on the frailty ward, which included milkshake rounds, hydration, snack self-service, gardening, book and luncheon club. She also was pivotal in establishing the Frailty Assessment Unit and ‘Art in Health’ weekly activities for inpatients living with dementia in Glangwili Hospital.

She commented: “I was very shocked and delighted to receive this award and it was a wonderful, very inspiring evening highlighting our fantastic Welsh nursing workforce and the positive impact they have on patient care everyday.”

Bianca Oakley, Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, was awarded runner up in the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award for her work developing a Community Same Day Urgent Care Service. This has helped give patients access to care closer to home and reduced pressures on general hospital sites. She is also actively involved in research such as point-of-care testing in remote areas to improve and enable timely safe care to be delivered to patients, closer to their homes.

She added “It was a great privilege to be awarded runner up for the second year running in these awards. I am incredibly proud of our team in Ceredigion’s Same Day Urgent Care and Outreach service who have worked tirelessly over the last three years to provide advanced care closer to home. Being nominated was only possible because of their hard work and dedication.”

For more information about the winners and finalists, visit: Nurse of the Year Award Winners 2024 | Wales | Royal College of Nursing

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating a hate incident in the Clynderwen area after graffiti was sprayed on the home of a victim, causing distress to the occupants.

The incident occurred on Sunday, September 8, at around 12:40am. Despite extensive enquiries, investigating officers are appealing for public assistance in identifying the individual pictured who may hold vital information.

If you have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the following channels:

• Online: Submit information
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 101

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference 24*783192 when providing information.

THE Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, spearheaded by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, has passed its second reading in the House of Commons with a majority of 55 votes. A historic 330 MPs supported the measure, while 275 opposed it.

The bill proposes allowing terminally ill adults with less than six months to live the option to seek medical assistance to end their lives. Following Friday’s (Nov 29) vote, the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for detailed scrutiny. It will also be debated in the House of Lords before potentially becoming law.

MPs divided over assisted dying

The vote was conducted as a free vote, enabling MPs to act according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves were among those who backed the proposal. However, other senior figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, voted against it, citing concerns over coercion and fears of a “slippery slope” towards euthanasia.

A five-hour debate in the Commons saw emotional arguments on both sides. Former Conservative minister Andrew Mitchell shared his shift in perspective, recounting the moving stories of constituents who watched loved ones suffer “in great pain and indignity.”

In contrast, Labour veteran Diane Abbott expressed concerns that the bill could pressure vulnerable individuals, stating: “Sick people may feel like a burden on society.” She warned that passing the bill could see the NHS become “a fully-funded 100% suicide service,” while palliative care remains underfunded.

‘Choice and dignity’ at the heart of the bill

Introducing the bill, Ms Leadbeater emphasised the importance of giving terminally ill patients “choice, autonomy, and dignity,” arguing the current law is failing them.

“This is about ensuring that those who are dying are afforded the care and respect they deserve,” she said, highlighting the bill’s stringent safeguards.

Under the proposed law, two independent doctors and a high-court judge must approve each case. Additionally, patients would need to self-administer the medication, ensuring their consent is clear and voluntary. The bill also imposes a 14-year prison sentence for anyone found to have coerced a person into seeking assisted dying.

Supporters rally outside Parliament

Outside the Commons, campaigners from Dignity in Dying held a demonstration in support of the bill. Protesters called for legal changes to provide terminally ill individuals with greater control over their end-of-life choices.

The debate continues to divide public opinion, but Friday’s vote marks a significant step towards potentially changing the law in England and Wales.

The legislation will now undergo further examination in committee and will face additional debate in the House of Lords. Both sides of the debate are preparing for intense scrutiny of the proposed safeguards and ethical implications.