Cardiff and Vale University Health Board 2023 Recap

28 December 2023

In the last days of 2023, it is with pride and gratitude that we reflect on how colleagues across Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have shown commitment and dedication to providing high-quality care and new ways of delivering services.

Awards and achievements

During the year several colleagues and teams were recognised nationally for their work.

In June the Royal College of Nurses named Tara Rees, a Lead Nurse Practitioner in the Hepatology service, as RCN Wales Nurse of the Year. This prestigious award came just weeks after Cardiff and Vale University Health Board joined the international Florence Nightingale Foundation as part of its commitment to support, develop and retain nurses and midwives.
At the Children and Women CBS awards in July colleagues across the Children and Women’s Clinical Board were recognised for their hard work, dedication and passion to support patients and their families.
The Cardiff and Vale Rehabilitation Model won ‘The Welsh Government’s Award for Value Based Care: Making Best Use of Resources to Maximise Outcomes’ in the Advancing Healthcare Awards (AHA) 2023.
Clinicians on a cardiac ward, B1, at University Hospital Wales became the first to receive the new Bronze Accreditation Award for their positive outcomes for both colleagues and patients.
In October the AHA Cymru 2023 recognised the Cardiff and Vale Live Well Service with the ‘Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation’.
Christopher Roche, a trainee cardiothoracic surgeon, was awarded the Ronald Edwards Medal for Best Scientific Oral Presentation for his research work into 3D bio-printed heart patches.
The NHS Wales Outstanding Contribution Award for Services to Diabetes in the Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes Awards was presented to Rachael Humphreys, a Paediatric Specialist Diabetes Nurse at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.

We celebrate these achievements as well as the many everyday wins that make a difference.

New facilities and innovations

In 2023 Cardiff and Vale University Health Board opened new facilities that will positively improve the experience of patients in Cardiff and the Vale.

In January Whitchurch Surgery, a state-of-the-art medical centre was opened, built with funding from the Welsh Government. The Senior Partner of the surgery, Dr Gareth Lloyd, said: “This is a major step for our patients and staff and will enable us to deliver primary care services in a building that is suitable to meet the demand capacity required.”
In April, the surgical team celebrated a milestone in April when the 100th robotic operation in Wales was performed. This has risen to over 150 robotic operations carried out in Cardiff and Vale in 2023. Talking about his experience of colorectal surgery using the Versius robot at the University Hospital of Wales Raymond Leyshon said, “The robotics surgery has been life changing for me, as it enabled me to get back home to my family just four days after my procedure, and aside from my stoma bag, I have virtually no scarring and am now in a position to progress with the next stage of my recovery journey.”
In August, Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Rankin officially opened two new specialised trauma clinics at the University Hospital of Wales. These clinics, for adult and paediatric patients, will deliver high quality orthopaedic, spinal and complex trauma care for up to 35,000 patients a year.
In September, a new mental health and emotional wellbeing hub for young people, ‘The Hangout’ was officially opened in Cardiff city centre. The Hangout, run by charity Platfform, works closely with the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health services team, to make it easier for young people aged 11-18 to access mental health support when they need it.
In December, Canolfan Iechyd Genomig Cymru (CIGC) in Coryton, North Cardiff officially opened its doors as a centre for genomics and precision medicine. The centre, funded by Welsh Government, was opened by the Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan MS, who said, “We have already seen success with ground-breaking initiatives in this field and I hope this new facility will help build on this work and create more opportunities for genomics to transform healthcare, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the prosperity of the people of Wales.”

Putting people first

In May both International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day were celebrated, recognising the incredible work these midwifery and nursing colleagues do within Cardiff and Vale and thanking them for all they do every day of the year.

In July we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service with video messages of congratulations, choral performances, the unveiling of Geraint’s Dawns Bywyd (The Dance of Life) installation at University Hospital Llandough and a digital gallery of photos through the ages which members of the public contributed to. We were delighted to receive a photo of Peter Woolston, the first baby born in Cardiff on the day the NHS was created.

At the Annual General Meeting of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in September the new ten-year strategy was launched.

The Shaping Our Future Wellbeing strategy was developed following consultation with the public, stakeholders, partners and colleagues at events online and in-person across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan earlier in the year. The strategy seeks to build on the priorities of putting people first, providing outstanding quality, delivering in the right places and acting for the future.

Starting 2024 well

Despite challenges throughout 2023, teams across the health board have shown commitment and dedication. As we enter 2024, with colleagues working collaboratively, using new technologies and adapting well, we look forward to providing care and treatment in a kind and compassionate way to those who need it.

We thank our colleagues for all they have contributed in 2023, and wish them, along with our partners, patients and communities, a healthy and happy new year.