Hywel Dda University Health Board has appointed an acute kidney injury nurse specialist – the first role of its kind in Wales.

The AKI nurse specialist Paula Davies, who is based at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, has nearly 40 years of renal nursing experience.

She said: “In my new role my main aim will be to improve the outcomes for AKI patients in Glangwili Hospital.

"Early detection and intervention of AKI is so important. With my experience and advanced clinical practice skills, we will hopefully help prevent progression to single organ failure and reduce the need to transfer patients to Intensive Care or unnecessary transfer of patients to the specialist renal unit in Morriston Hospital.

“I will also be looking at introducing early follow-up appointments for patients who have been treated for an AKI and to deliver high-quality training to nurses and clinicians across all health care disciplines in the hospital.”

The new role is a 12-month post funded by the health board.

Paula was a dialysis nurse in the renal unit in Swansea for many years and then worked in renal care in King’s College Hospital, London.

On returning home to Wales she returned to the renal unit at Swansea Bay University Health Board, having been appointed as the first renal vascular access CNS in the health board.

As well as bringing her advanced clinical skills and knowledge to her new role, Paula is keen to provide mental health and wellness support to the patients having experienced an AKI.

She has been working with the charitable organisation the Paul Popham Fund to support this.

She said: “Educating patients to stay well is very important. Patient information leaflets will support the information given when they come to the post AKI clinics. It’s about keeping them healthy and informed, both patients and their families.”