Velindre celebrates staff as its Employee Excellence Awards return

18 October 2023

A total of 16 awards were presented to individuals, teams and projects from across Velindre University NHS Trust at its returning Employee Excellence Awards 2023.

The awards were last held in 2019 before the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and their comeback was a welcome opportunity to celebrate life-changing work that is taking place.

There were more than 180 inspirational nominations for the awards, including 30 from members of the public, which demonstrates the depth of amazing achievements from across the Trust.

At the centre of nominations was a focus on how staff in Corporate Services, Velindre Cancer Centre and the Welsh Blood Service have enhanced experienced and outcomes for donors, patients and partners.

Claire Budgen, Head of Organisational Development and Lead for the Working Group that organised the awards, said:

"To put these awards on after their absence during the pandemic was a privilege and we're so proud to shine a spotlight on our amazing workforce. Staff across the Trust make a difference every say and it's important that they receive the recognition they deserve. We'd like to say a huge well done to those shortlisted and our winners.

"Sharing improvements and inspiring innovation is as important as ever for the NHS, and we know there are success stories behind every nomination. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter our awards. We're already looking forward to next year's celebration." 

The full list of winners includes:

• Education, Research and Innovation Award
  Immunotherapy CNS Team, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Award
  Leigh Porter, Patient Support Services Manager, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Going The Extra Mile Award
  Operational Services, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Health and Wellbeing Award
  Deborah Mullan, Therapies Assistant, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Improving Donor Experience Award
  Collections – West Team, Welsh Blood Service
   
• Improving Patient Experience Award
  Immunotherapy Toxicity Service, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Leadership Award
  Ricky Frazer, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Partnership Award
  COVID-19 Vaccines Distribution Project, Vaccine Team, Welsh Blood Service
   
• People's Choice Award
  Michele Pengelly, Specialist Nurse in Supportive Care, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Team of the Year
  Joint Neuro-Oncology Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) Team, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Quality and Efficiency Award
  Virtual Assessment Pathway (VAP) Team, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Sustainability Award
  UK NEQAS for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, Welsh Blood Service
   
• Volunteer Award
  Seren and Morgan Lewis-Daw, Veggies for Velindre
   
• Digital Development Award
  Prometheus Project Team, Welsh Blood Service
   
• Welsh Language Award
  Kirsty Huey, Radiographer, Velindre Cancer Centre
   
• Chair & Chief Executive Award
  Hannah Russon, Lead School of Oncology Project, Velindre Cancer Centre

The hybrid awards ceremony took place both in-person and online, with nominees invited to attend either at the Welsh Blood Service headquarters or at Velindre Cancer Centre, with many more staff from across the Trust joining virtually.