Head of IPC awarded CNO Excellence Award

19 January 2025

Upon her visit to Velindre Cancer Service, the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, Sue Tranka, presented Head of Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) Hayley Harrison Jeffreys with the CNO Excellence Award.

The CNO Excellence Award is given to nurses and midwives at all levels who go above and beyond their everyday roles to provide excellent care, leadership and inspiration. The recipients embody the values of public service, compassion and innovation shared by many in the nursing and midwifery professions.

Hayley, who joined Velindre Cancer Service in 2002, worked as a staff nurse on one of the inpatient wards before moving to IPC in 2005 as a surveillance nurse. Hayley was appointed Head of IPC in 2022, and with over two decades of experience, she has been championing the highest standards of safety, for both patients and staff. 

Throughout her career, Hayley held key roles in the introduction of many infection prevention initiatives, including evidence-based care bundles, surveillance of central lines, and in the implementation of Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) to improve clinical practice and reduce infection risk.  Her expertise and leadership have also played a significant role in supporting the Trust to achieve Gold ANTT Accreditation.

The reduction of Clostridioides difficile infections is a particular passion for Hayley and a topic close to her heart, driven by personal experience. This has strengthened her commitment to leading improvements in practice and reducing risk for patients across the organisation.

In recent years, Hayley, alongside her dedicated team, has brought infection prevention and control to life by engaging staff in innovative and memorable ways, ensuring best practice is embedded into day‑to‑day care.

• The 'Zombie Blood Virus: Break the Chain' escape room presented an interactive activity for staff to navigate their way through terrifying tests, chilling challenges and spooky scenarios to save the world from a mysterious zombie virus, all while learning valuable skills on how to prevent the spread of infection.
• 'Handopoly' - a large‑scale, interactive board game inspired by Monopoly, which invited staff to test their IPC knowledge against colleagues. From the WHO’s Five Moments of Hand Hygiene to appropriate glove use, the game encouraged friendly competition while reinforcing essential infection‑control standards.

Her talent for innovation - particularly her ability to translate complex IPC principles into memorable, interactive learning experiences - has set her apart as a leader who not only enforces standards but inspires culture change.

On receiving this award, Hayley said:

"Thank you doesn’t quite cover it—I feel privileged to receive the CNO Award for Excellence. This recognition is not just about me; it reflects the incredible team behind me whose support turns creative ideas into reality and drives forward the vital Infection Prevention and Control message. I’m proud to share this achievement with them."