Cardiff and Vale UHB: A Look Back at 2024
Thank you to our colleagues for all they have contributed this year - from the small acts of kindness shown to patients in need, to the larger innovations in delivery.
In this article we highlight a few examples of a year to be proud of:
Putting People First
Over six one-hour episodes aired in September and October, BBC One’s Saving Lives in Cardiff showed how surgical teams are working hard to put people first against the backdrop of significant waiting times. By opening the doors to the Label1 film crew, the programme gave us a snapshot of the difficult decisions many of our clinicians make every day and the effort that goes into caring for people’s health.
A number of teams and initiatives were nationally recognised for their commitment to putting people first during the year including:
At the British HR Awards the health board won the Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year Award for partnering in the DFN Project SEARCH programme, supporting young people with learning disabilities to enter the workplace.
The health board received Macro Employer of the Year at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024 contributing to our aim to be a great place to train.
Colleagues were encouraged to further their Welsh Language skills, to be able to offer Welsh speaking patients healthcare in their first language, with free language courses and translation services introduced in all-staff meetings.
We also launched our ‘In The Spotlight’ campaign to shine a light on the different people who make up CAVUHB, from those who support behind the scenes, to those who have passions that led them to work in their role.
Providing outstanding quality
Services continue to innovate and improve to provide patients with quality care.
The Rapid Hip Fracture Pathway was implemented over the last year and has resulted in significant improvements in the patients’ journey to such an extent that Cardiff and Vale UHB is now one of the best performing hip fracture units in the UK.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology was introduced to help diagnose stroke patients quickly and effectively.
The Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales introduced eTriage kiosks to improve patient experience, increase efficiency and to support the clinical triage team with prioritisation of those patients most in need.
Four wards achieved Bronze Accreditation in the Ward Accreditation and Improvement Programme for their dedication to delivering high standards of care and using data-driven insights to implement meaningful improvements.
Several colleagues were recognised for their dedication to delivering outstanding quality care:
MBEs were awarded to Consultant physician Dr Hamsaraj Shetty for his services to stroke care and Professor Antony Johansen, Consultant Ortho-Geriatrician, for his services to older people.
Madelaine Watkins, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Psychosis in Older Adults, was named RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2024. Lisa Franklin, Tim Nicholls, Julia Somerford, Kim Baker, Jade Cole and Diana Mehrez were also recognised at the ceremony for their outstanding commitment to quality.
At the UK’s Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024 All Wales Nutrition and Dietetic Lead for Diabetes, Catherine Washbrook-Davies was awarded for maximising expertise to improve patient outcomes. Helen Nicholls, now-retired Head of Nutrition and Dietetic Services, won the Clinical Leadership Award.
Delivering in the right places
In 2024 Cardiff and Vale UHB continued to adapt its services to meet patients’ needs and promote recovery in the most appropriate settings:
The Safe at Home primary care service expanded, providing older, frailer people a safe alternative to hospital, by delivering care in their own homes.
The Seibiant sanctuary, Cardiff and Vale’s first non-clinical, community-based mental health crisis facility was launched, offering a safe space for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or needing support. This service is run by Platfform, a mental health and social justice charity.
Building on the success of The Hangout in Cardiff, a second location opened in Barry, providing a welcoming, relaxed environment for 11-18 years to access mental health and emotional wellbeing support.
Two new endoscopy theatres opened within the endoscopy department at University Hospital Llandough as part of the Health Board’s recovery programme for planned care following the pandemic.
A Healthy Lives event held in March during Ramadan at Cardiff City Stadium, offered women of Islamic faith the chance to find out more about the importance of breast, cervical and bowel screening, as well as childhood vaccinations.
A number of colleagues were recognised for their commitment to delivering outstanding quality:
The Supportive Care team won the Sir Mansel Aylward Person-Centred Care Award at the NHS Wales Awards 2024 for broadening access to end-of-life care, and putting patients at the centre of decisions, services, and their own care.
Rhian Greenslade, the WellChild Discharge Liaison Nurse for Children with Complex Health Needs at the Noah’s Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, was named as a winner in the prestigious national 2024 WellChild Awards.
Acting for the Future
Throughout 2024, our colleagues worked hard to reduce the health board’s carbon emissions and protect the environment:
The Digital Health and Intelligence team initiated a project to automatically switch off computers overnight, saving energy.
Cardiff and Vale UHB pioneered an environmentally friendly alternative for ‘gas and air’, used as pain relief to women in labour, potentially slashing harmful emissions here and beyond.
Preparations continued for the roll out of the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) system, which aims to improve the prescribing and administering of medication across its sites.
In June Cardiff and Vale University Health Board were delighted to announce that three of its environmentally sustainable initiatives won at the NHS Wales Sustainability Awards – the Walking Aids Recycling Team, the Green ICU Team and KidzMedz.
Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy awarded the Green Flag Community Award to Our Health Meadow – Ein Dôl Iechyd at University Hospital Llandough for its high environmental standards, cleanliness, safety, and community involvement.
Shaping Our Future Wellbeing
We look forward to the initiatives, innovations, and compassionate care that will shape our future wellbeing in 2025.