IT was a night of success for Hywel Dda University Health Board’s nursing team with two winners and two runners-up at this year’s RCN Wales Nurse of Year Awards 2017.

These annual awards celebrate nurses who demonstrate excellence in practice, a passion for the nursing profession and exemplify distinction in care, leadership, service and innovation.

Many congratulations go to Bethan Andrews, nurse at Withybush Hospital for winning The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Award, and Ann Robins, nurse at Prince Philip Hospital, winner of the Registered Nurse (Adult) Award.

Runners-up on the night were Iris Williams, nurse at Glangwili Hospital, for the Clinical Nurse Specialist category, and Carys Stevens, nurse in Ceredigion Community Services in the Community Nursing category.

Chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Steve Moore, said: “I’m delighted that Bethan, Ann, Iris and Carys have been recognised at this prestigious national awards ceremony. I am enormously proud of them, and all our nursing staff, for the high quality care they continue to deliver every day for our patients.”

Bethan Andrews, Senior Sister at Withybush Hospital, is the leader and nursing inspiration on Ward 12 - a specialist dementia and frailty ward - for the care of older adults. She has driven the plans to ensure Ward 12 is on the map for excellent care, supporting older adults with frailty and dementia in an acute medical setting; fighting with a clear vision and as a voice for the older adult; ensuring respect and dignity is embedded, and through this demonstrating a positive impact on older persons’ care. Through Bethan’s tireless work she has encouraged and changed the perception of nursing older adults.

The awards panel highlighted that the passion Bethan clearly displays for the nursing of older people and the profession of nursing is quite simply inspirational. Combining outstanding clinical care with compassion and respect, she has transformed the care of some of the frailest patients enabling them to not only make the best physical recovery, but also to recover their independence and ability to continue living the lives they want to lead.

She is a strong advocate, not only for her patients, but for her team and puts excellence at the heart of everything she does. She is an advocate for the nursing profession, inspirational to listen to and inspirational to everyone with whom she works.