Hywel Dda University Health Board's nursing team celebrated success at the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) Wales Nurse of the Year Awards.

The annual event, held in Cardiff on November 21, recognises the innovation, excellence, and dedication of the nursing community across Wales.

The board's team secured two wins and a runner-up position.

Claire Hurlin, the strategic head of community and chronic conditions management, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her work in constructing the trial of an asthma interface nurse, which links pharma, primary care, and specialist difficult asthma care, was particularly commended.

Ms Hurlin said: "It is a real privilege to accept this award.

"I am grateful to be in a profession that I am passionate about and had the opportunity to work with so many nurses and healthcare professionals to make a difference."

The registered nurse (adult) award was given to Donna Major, a senior ward sister.

Her efforts to improve the care of frailty and dementia patients, which included the establishment of the Frailty Assessment Unit and ‘Art in Health’ weekly activities for inpatients living with dementia in Glangwili Hospital, were recognised.

Ms Major said: "I was very shocked and delighted to receive this award and it was a wonderful, very inspiring evening highlighting our fantastic Welsh nursing workforce and the positive impact they have on patient care every day."

Bianca Oakley, the lead advanced nurse practitioner in Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, was runner-up in the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award.

Her work in developing a Community Same Day Urgent Care Service, which has helped reduce pressures on general hospital sites, was acknowledged.

She said: "It was a great privilege to be awarded runner-up for the second year running in these awards.

"I am incredibly proud of our team in Ceredigion’s Same Day Urgent Care and Outreach service who have worked tirelessly over the last three years to provide advanced care closer to home.

"Being nominated was only possible because of their hard work and dedication."

Sharon Daniel, interim director of nursing, quality, and patient experience at the health board, expressed her pride in the team's achievements.

She said: "I’m delighted and very proud that our nurses in Hywel Dda have been recognised again in this annual event.

"The awards provide a great opportunity for nurses, students, support workers, and midwives to showcase the difference they make to the lives of people we care for.

"Congratulations to you all."