An individual and a team from Hywel Dda University Health Board have been recognised for their outstanding achievements in cancer services at the Moondance Cancer Awards last Thursday (June 13).
The awards – which are Wales’s only dedicated cancer awards – aim to celebrate and spotlight individuals and teams across NHS Wales and its partners who deliver, lead and innovate cancer services.
The team behind the Prostate Active Care Together (PACT) programme were named joint winners of the Better Patient Experience award for their dedicated rehabilitation and support service for people with prostate cancer.
The PACT programme offers tailored advice on exercise, nutrition and wellbeing, and empowers people with prostate cancer to reduce the consequences of treatment side effects and improve longer term health outcomes.
Taking home the Excellence award for Non-medical and Nursing was Allied Health Professional Cancer Lead at Hywel Dda, Rachel Lewis, who was praised for her leadership skills and her tenacity in establishing prehabilitation and rehabilitation services which provide crucial help and support for people with cancer.
Rachel Lewis, who is also part of the winning PACT team, said: “To see PACT win the patient experience award tonight is a testament to their dedication and commitment to improving access to cancer rehabilitation services within Hywel Dda Health board. I hope this is a step towards permanently embedding holistic rehabilitation services across the cancer care trajectory. It was absolutely amazing to be recognised in the Moondance Awards night.”
This year’s winners were judged by a panel of experts and leaders including: Professor Tom Crosby, Cancer Clinical Director for Wales; Cari-Anne Quinn, CEO of Life Sciences Hub Wales; Judith Paget CBE, Director General of Health & Social Services & Chief Executive of NHS Wales and Professor Kamilla Hawthorne, GP & Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Dr Rob Orford, CEO of Moondance Cancer Initiative, said: “The awards were created to both celebrate and thank the people who have dedicated their time to improving and pioneering detection, diagnosis and treatment pathways across cancer services in Wales.
“We hope that by shining a spotlight on these people, we can help inspire tomorrow’s solutions for survival. We’re so pleased that so many people from across health care in Wales came to celebrate with us. Congratulations to the winners and to everyone who was nominated across Wales.
“These awards really showcase that improvement is both possible and is happening across Wales’s cancer services. At Moondance, we find, fund and fuel brilliant people with brave ideas to improve cancer outcomes for Wales. If you, or your team, is interested in discussing an idea, please get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you.”
Dr Neil Wooding, Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board said:
“I am absolutely delighted to see all the outstanding work of colleagues across our cancer services at Hywel Dda being recognised nationally.
“It is wonderful news that Rachel and the dedicated team behind the Prostate Active Care Together (PACT) programme have won in the prestigious Moondance Cancer Awards. Congratulations to you all.
“Congratulations also to everyone who was nominated in the awards. Your outstanding dedication, expertise and compassion change the lives of patients in our care.”
For more information on the awards, visit: Moondance Cancer Awards | Moondance Cancer Initiative (moondance-cancer.wales)
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