On 1st November, we were thrilled to be at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Achievement Awards 2019 – the third year we have been a sponsor of one of the Team of the Year category.
It was one of those nights where however close you are to the work of the NHS you cannot fail to be astounded and moved in equal measure by the commitment and compassion of staff to patients and the NHS itself. Something that many of us may have experienced personally through illness or injury, whether our own or that of a close friend or family member.
The winner of this year’s Team of the Year award is an outstanding team of NHS Wales staff at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in the Critical Care Bereavement Team, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support patients and families during their hour of need.
The team provides a range of support to former critical care patients and bereaved families. This includes weekly clinics which provide support to bereaved relatives as well as help for former patients who are coming to the terms with the often ‘life changing’ long term physical and psychological impacts which can follow a critical illness.
Memory boxes have also been introduced to provide support and comfort for the families of patients who have passed away in critical care.
More recently, the team has established a critical care support group, which has attracted ‘amazing feedback’ from patients and relatives.
Our congratulations to all that won awards that night, but more widely too all NHS staff. You are truly amazing people!