RCN Wales
Nurse Staffing Levels Bill (More Nurses Bill) receives its seal of approval to become law.
Wales is the first country in the UK that has a legal duty to have sufficient nurse staffing levels on acute hospital wards.
Tina Donnelly, Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, said:
“... Wales is leading the way in improving patient care and becoming a world leader in health care. This ... is great news for patients and the nurses entrusted with their care as this new law will definitely save lives. Our government has listened to nurses, health organisations and the general public. RCN members worked hard to provide evidence to Assembly Members on the importance of this bill by writing letters, sending emails, face-to-face meetings and social media".
The RCN Wales have launched the RCN in Wales Nurse of the Year Awards
The Awards, 17 in total, are an opportunity to offer recognition for nurses who demonstrate excellence in practice. Nurses can be nominated by peers, teams, managers, patients and the general public; nominees must demonstrate a passion for the nursing profession and exemplify distinction in care, leadership, service and innovation.
Information can be found at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/wales/about/awards
Tina Donnelly said:
“These prestigious Awards are now in their fifth year and as such have become a highlight in the nursing calendar – celebrating the biggest and brightest stars of the nursing family in Wales.”
“Each year we are pleased to see the calibre of entrants reflecting the high standards of health care delivery occurring in Wales each and every day. From the thousands of nominations we’ve received over the past four years - highlighting the work of health care workers in a variety of disciplines and numerous areas of expertise – it is safe to say we are fortunate to have such excellent individuals working to look after our health and happiness.”
“As with previous years, we are once again ready to welcome nominations from those who wish to celebrate the hard work and commitment of their colleagues or their carers.”
David Jenkins OBE, Chair, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said of the occasion:
“The Nurse of the Year Awards are an important way to recognise the commitment of nurses in Wales to the highest standards of patient care. All those nominated for these Awards demonstrate the fantastic, innovative and dedicated work of NHS nursing and midwifery staff.”
In addition to the prestige associated with winning an award, category winners will receive a monetary prize plus a trophy. The overall winner will receive the accolade of being recognised as ‘Wales Nurse of the Year 2016’ and will receive a superb prize in recognition of this.