Two physiotherapists take joint step nearer to winning Advancing Healthcare Awards Wales 2021

Physiotherapy leaders Debbie Davies and Ruth Emanuel were shortlisted earlier this week by a panel judging the Advancing Healthcare Awards Wales 2021.

They were nominated jointly in the ‘leadership and change management’ category in this year’s awards, the final of which will take place at a ceremony on 26 November.

There are eight categories in this year’s awards, and those in the first seven (which includes the leadership and change management category) could be named overall winner. Six of the categories are open to allied health professionals (AHPs) and health scientists, with the remaining two being open to those in student and support worker roles.

The awards are an opportunity to celebrate everything that is done every single day in our NHS for the length and breadth of Wales [First minister for Wales Mark Drakeford] 

Technical instructor's contribution recognised

Physiotherapy technical instructor Chris Richards from Hywel Dda University Health Board was shortlisted for making an ‘outstanding achievement’ in his role. This category is open to healthcare science apprentices, support workers, assistants or associates who work with an AHP.

This category aims to recognise the ‘increasing contribution’ of individuals who provide, or help to provide, ‘high quality, creative care which enhances the quality of life for the citizen’.

Leading edge

Debbie is the head of the physiotherapy service at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, while Ruth has an equivalent post at Swansea Bay University Health Board.

The leadership category, which is sponsored by Health Education and Improvement Wales, aims to identify AHPs who are ‘inspirational leaders who have empowered and transformed workforce wellbeing and engagement by demonstrating positive changes in staff.’

The other two people who were shortlisted in the leadership category are occupational therapist Paul Dunning, professional head of staff health and wellbeing at Swansea Bay University Health Board, and Megan Fealey, a genomics implementation officer with the All Wales Medical Genomics Service.

Chance to celebrate achievements

First minister for Wales Mark Drakeford described the awards as ‘an opportunity to celebrate everything that is done every single day in our NHS for the length and breadth of Wales’.

For more information, visit: https://ahawards.co.uk/wales