Awards celebrate people improving the use of Welsh in healthcare

3 Jul 2015 12:55 PM

All the staff working on a ward at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda have been honoured for their work to improve the Welsh language services they offer.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford presented the team working on ward B2, Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda the Minister’s special award at the Words Into Action Welsh Language in Health, Social Services and Social Care Awards at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

The awards celebrate people who are working to improve Welsh language services across the health, social services and social care sectors and included winners from across Wales.

Professor Drakeford said:

“These awards demonstrate how improving services can make a big difference to the lives of people who want or need to receive their care in Welsh.  Everybody nominated can be proud of their efforts.”

The team working on ward B2 at Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda, in Llwynypia in the Rhondda valley, ensure their patients can receive their care, treatment and their meals in Welsh. Patients being cared for in the hospital are asked whether they would like to go to this ward where the clinical staff, porters and catering staff are all able to speak Welsh.

Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, said:

“Across the NHS, the voluntary sector and in social care, there are some outstanding examples of people working to improve the care they provide by improving their Welsh language services. These awards celebrate their efforts and I want to congratulate everyone involved.”

2015 award winners:

Working with families, children and young people: Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Working with older people: Foxtroy House Residential Home, Bridgend

Working with mental health service users: Bangor University’s Cognitive Assessment Toolkit

Working with people with learning difficulties including speech and language therapy: Derwen, the integrated team for disabled children, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Gwynedd Council.

Innovative practice in primary care: Teifi Surgery, Llandysul

Education and training which increase the capability/confidence of the workforce to provide Welsh language services: Bangor University Language Champions Project

Working in partnership: Gyda’n Gilydd Service, Gwynedd Council

Working in partnership: Denbighshire Single Point of Access

Care based on the ‘Active Offer’ and the Minister’s special award for the best overall nomination: Ward B2 Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda, Cwm Taf University Health Board.

Leadership, Commitment and Innovation in Senior Management: Judith Roberts, Gwynedd Healthy Schools Scheme

Technology and the Welsh Language: Gwynedd Healthy Schools Scheme, Public Health Wales.

Appointment Reminder Service: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Online bilingual cancer information resource: North Wales Cancer Network Patient Forum

Learning Welsh

Welsh Learner of the Year for less than two years: Laura Owens and Gareth Hutchinson, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Welsh Learner of the Year for more than two years: Amy de Cunha Prys, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Exceptional commitment to providing Welsh language services

In the NHS: Rhiannon Davies, Welsh language officer, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

In social services/social care: Margaret Watkins, staff development officer, Denbighshire County Council