Nurses recognised at prestigious RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards
22 April 2022
Eight nurses from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board were officially presented with their 2021 RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards this week to recognise their outstanding work.
Both Nurses and Midwives from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board achieved a total of five wins and three runner-up places across 15 categories during the awards ceremony that took place virtually on 10 November 2021.
The annual prestigious event celebrates the outstanding achievements of nurses and midwives across Wales and recognises their positive influence on nursing and midwifery practice, and the care they provide to individuals and communities.
Today, Executive Nurse Director, Ruth Walker was able to present the awards in person with Charles Janczewski Chair of Cardiff and Vale UHB, Richard Jones MBE, Chair, RCN Wales Board and Diane Powles, Associate Director of Nursing, RCN Wales.
Following the presentation, Ruth said: “The dedication and professionalism of all our nursing and midwifery staff is absolutely incredible and I wish to thank each and every one of them for their continued resilience and hard work through some exceptionally challenging times.
“I feel very privileged to join Charles Janczewski, Richard Jones and Diane Powles from RCN Wales to present our very worthy winners with their awards today. A huge well done to all those who were nominated and congratulations once again to our nursing staff who have gone above and beyond in their roles.”
Congratulations to RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2021, Kirsty John who received special recognition for her work with colleagues in HMP Cardiff, leading the testing system for all men arriving in custody and creating a vaccination hub within the prison. Kirsty also won the Primary Care Nursing Award.
Kirsty John, Charge Nurse at HMP Cardiff said “I was extremely honoured to have been nominated in the Primary Care category of Nurse of the Year and for the RCN Nurse of the Year Award. I was so shocked to have been shortlisted and to have won, especially at a time where so many people have been doing outstanding work throughout the pandemic. I feel very privileged to have received these awards and to showcase my role in a challenging environment.”
The winners and runners up from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board were:
- Children and Midwifery Award – Winner, Katherine Fischer-Jenkins
- Advanced and Specialist Nursing Award - Runner up, Sarah Rees and Paula Strong
- Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award - Runner up, Abigail Holmes
- Registered Nurse (Adult award) - Runner up, Emily John
- Primary Care Nursing Award – Winner, Kirsty John
- Supporting Improvement Through Research Award – Winner, Emma Williams
- Suzanne Goodall Paediatric Nursing Award - Winner, Laura Truscott-Wright
- RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2021 – Winner, Kirsty John
The awards ensure that individual healthcare staff are both recognised and rewarded for their work to raise the standard of nursing practice and health care in the UK. This event showcases how valuable the nursing contribution is within healthcare and demonstrates how nurses contribute positively to patient care.