Cwm Taf Morgannwg frailty nurses scoops 'Care of Older People' Award at the Nursing Times Awards

We are thrilled to announce two of our Taff Ely Cluster Primary Care nurses, Christopher Waters and Melissa Duffy won the ‘Care of the Elderly’ Award at the Nursing Times Awards on Wednesday 26 October out of eight other shortlisted healthcare providers. The Awards, held at Grosvenor House Hotel, London consisted of twenty-five categories in total.

The Award was for the service provided by the nurses and their innovative work.  The work they carry out is aimed to reduce demand on primary and statutory services by identifying frailty before people deteriorate. The nurses identify vulnerable and frail individuals and proactively make contact with those who have limited contact with GPs. The nurses then liaise with cross-boundary health and social care, to ensure the patients have access to the right care at the right time.

Dr Victoria Whitbread, GP in Ashgrove Surgery and Taff Ely Clinical Lead said: “ I am so pleased that our frailty nurses have been recognised for the work that they do with our patients and have won a Nursing Times Award for ‘Care of Older People’.  The relationship the frailty nurses have with the wider primary care team, social services and third sector teams ensures that the patients’ needs and concerns are identified and addressed quickly either by the frailty nurses themselves or by referral to most appropriate service for the patient. They act early and ensure needs have been met to delay negative outcomes associated with frailty such as loss of independence, hospital admissions, increased Primary Care contact and premature transfer into full time care.”

Janet Kelland, primary care service development manager, Taff Ely cluster said: “Christopher and Melissa deserve this award as they have come together from different roles, bringing their wealth of knowledge and experience, to set up a brand new service in our area for the benefit of patients.  They not only visit patients in their homes providing assessments and access to services to keep them safe and well at home, but they also connect with people in the community to offer their advice and support.”

02/11/2022