Pioneers from Hywel Dda recognised in shortlist for cancer awards

Individuals and teams from Hywel Dda University Health Board have been recognised in the shortlist for the Moondance Cancer Awards for their achievements and innovations in cancer services.

The Moondance Cancer Awards aim to celebrate and spotlight individuals and teams across NHS Wales and its partners who deliver, lead and innovate cancer services.

More than 110 nominations have been shortlisted down to 55 organisations, teams and individuals across 10 categories in areas including early detection and diagnosis, patient experience and cancer treatment.

Finalists named from the Hywel Dda University Health Board include individual nominees:

• Mr Simone Sebastiani, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon based at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth
• Rachel Lewis, Allied Health Professional Cancer Lead who works across the Health Board
• Jill Williams, Clinical Research Specialist Nurse, based within the Hywel Dda Research Delivery Team at Glangwili Hospital.
• Patricia Rees, Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, based within the Tritech Institute, Llanelli.

These are the teams nominated:

• 24/7 Cancer Treatment Helpline. This team operates across the Health Board and the teams involved include the Out of Hours Team and the Acute Oncology Team
• Prostate Active Care Together (P.A.C.T) who work across the Health Board
• Enabling Research for Better Patient Outcomes – Hywel Dda Research Delivery Teams based at Bronglais, Glangwili, Prince Philip and Withybush Hospitals.
• Optimising the Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC) and Expanding Services team is a Health Board-wide service with clinics held in Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals.
• Optimising the Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) pathways team who operate across the Health Board.
• Prostate Cancer Rapid Diagnosis Pathway (PROSTAD) – Hywel Dda UHB, Swansea University, TriTech Institute, Cancer Research UK

The second ever awards will be held on Thursday 13 June 2024 at Depot, Cardiff, hosted by journalist and presenter, Sean Fletcher. All shortlisted nominees and their nominators will receive free tickets to the event, as a thank you from Moondance Cancer Initiative in recognition of their dedication and commitment to cancer services across Wales.

Moondance Cancer Initiative exists to find, fund and fuel brilliant people and brave ideas to make Wales a world leader in cancer survival.

Commenting on the Moondance Cancer Awards, Dr Rob Orford, CEO of Moondance Cancer Initiative, said: “Recognising and celebrating the work of the talented and passionate people across Wales working in cancer services is vital in achieving our shared goal of improving cancer outcomes for patients. And importantly, the awards night is a great opportunity for colleagues from all corners of Wales to connect and hopefully spark new ideas for change and improvement.

“The standard of entries from dedicated people and teams working across all parts of the cancer pathway, from detection, diagnosis, to treatment and care is evidence of the great work going on across Wales and we can’t wait to celebrate with the nominees and wider cancer community in June.”

Judith Hardisty, Interim Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “I am absolutely delighted to see all the outstanding work of colleagues in our cancer services at Hywel Dda being recognised nationally. It is wonderful that dedicated individuals and hard-working teams have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards.

Good luck to everyone who has been nominated and thank you for your commitment, expertise, compassion and the outstanding care you give our patients every day.”

For more information on the awards, visit: Moondance Cancer Awards | Moondance Cancer Initiative (moondance-cancer.wales)