RCN Wales Nurse of the Year named
Posted 15 November 2019 - 08:54
Inspirational leader Jean Saunders praised for improving healthcare access for asylum seekers
Inspirational leader Jean Saunders praised for improving healthcare access for asylum seekers
A 'passionate and dedicated' nurse who champions the rights of asylum seekers in her care has been named RCN Wales Nurse of the Year.
Jean Saunders, who is a health access team coordinator at Swansea Bay University Health Board, won the title at the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year awards in Cardiff.
Nurse's research into services for asylum seekers changed health policy and improved care
Ms Saunders has carried out research to evaluate services for asylum seekers, and has used the findings to help influence health policy and improve services.
One asylum seeker whose life was changed Ms Saunders said: 'I ran away to find freedom, to a country I did not know and a system I did not understand. You need someone like Jean to guide and help you. Wales is my home now.'
RCN Wales director Helen Whyley said: 'Jean is a great role model for nurses and nursing in Wales.
'She exudes passion, commitment and dedication in a challenging area of practice and overcomes any challenges by thinking of alternatives to improve clients’ experience and quality of life. She is an inspiring leader to her team and all nurses.'
In other news
- Nurses in Northern Ireland announce Christmas strike date
- Former refugee qualifies as nurse, praised by trust as ‘outstanding individual’
RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards 2019 winners
Advanced and specialist nursing award
Sarah Morgan All Wales Mesothelioma UK clinical nurse specialist and senior Macmillan lung cancer specialist nurse, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Chief Nursing Officer for Wales award
Deb Jackson Head of midwifery and associate director of nursing, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Children and midwifery award
Emma Mills Clinical research midwife, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Community nursing award
Jean Saunders Health access team coordinator, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Health care support worker award
Kevin Bressington and Nathan Harris Healthcare support workers, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Improving individual and population health award
Christopher Hancock Programme lead, acute deterioration, 1000 Lives Improvement
Innovation in nursing award
Sara Goode Lead nurse for emergency planning, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Lifetime achievement award
Angela Haley Senior nurse respiratory services, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Mental health and learning disabilities award
Denise Cowdell CAMHS emergency liaison manager and Hayley Pheiffer CAMHS liaison nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Mentorship award
Andrew Brown Charge nurse, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Nurse education award
Ruth Wyn Williams Lecturer in learning disability nursing, Bangor University
Nursing student award
Mitchell Richards Swansea University
Primary care nursing award
Alyson Lloyd-Thomas Senior primary care nurse advisor/senior practice nurse, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Registered nurse (adult) award
Lynne Hall Unit sister, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Supporting improvement through research award
Hayley Forbes Community midwife, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Suzanne Goodall paediatric nursing award
Sophie Williams Transition nurse, Ty Hafan
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