'She's a prime example of how nurses should be' | Meet the Health Hero for June
19 June 2025
Deputy Ward Manager Lianne Hopkins has been named June’s Health Hero for the unwavering good humour and kindness she shows to children and families on Pelican Ward.
Lianne is Deputy Ward Manager on Pelican Ward at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital of Wales, an eight-bed unit providing medical care to children with chronic and acute heart or kidney conditions from birth up to age 16.
Since joining Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in 2002, Lianne has worked with children with extensive cardiac and renal conditions requiring planned surgery and on-going care and dialysis.
“Some of our patients require long-term care, so we see them at different stages throughout their childhood,” said Lianne. “You get to know them and their parents over many years and build a positive and trusting relationship, working in partnership and promoting family-centred care. These patients can present at any time over the course of their treatment plans and need expert nursing and medical care and intervention."
Lianne was nominated by Danielle Philips, whose ten-year-old son Benji spent four months on Pelican Ward as a cardiac patient. Danielle said: “When my son Benji was in Pelican Ward, Lianne was a superstar! She always had a smile on her face and was there for us to talk to.
“Benji always looked forward to the days she was working and even though he was so poorly, she always put a smile on his face and made his day a little brighter when all we knew was uncertainty. She's a prime example of how nurses should be and is a credit to the hospital!
“Even when the ward was really busy, she never made us feel like we were asking too much. Her humour and smile are infectious.”
Reflecting on the nomination Lianne said: “I was shocked and overcome with emotion to be nominated for this award. It is so special as it is from a patient and family - the heart of our service.”
Lianne added: “Trying to make a patient, or even a parent, laugh during a shift is important to me. Because for them, it’s a long time to be here. Imagine being a 10-year-old limited in movement and ability to simply go for a walk, something we take for granted every day.
“With Ben being of an age where he is obviously aware of his surroundings and limitations, the use of play and laughter is paramount. Ben is a character - he loved to tell us jokes throughout the shifts, lifting his mood and ours!”
Ben was transferred to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for cardiac surgery. Lianne said: “That was difficult for the staff as he had been an inpatient for some time and the ward becomes a second home for these children and their families. His surgery carried lots of uncertainty, so a worrying time for all. On his return from surgery in Bristol back to the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Ben looked amazing and so well. It was a joy to see; he did not stop smiling.”
Speaking about the challenges of the job, Lianne said: “We're quite a small team and due to the complexities of our patients there are always many challenges. I always strive for excellence and want to ensure that even at these challenging times our patients and families have the best experience they can to make their journey more manageable.
“The team work closely together, and we have regular debriefings for wellbeing. As a team we support each other.”
Health Hero is kindly sponsored by Park Plaza Cardiff. As June’s Health Hero, Lianne will receive a traditional afternoon tea for two.
