MACHYNLLETH community hospital has scooped the top prize at an award ceremony celebrating staff in the Powys Teaching Health Board region.

The team at Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital were recipients of the Chair’s Award at the Staff Excellence Awards event held last week.

This year, the health board said it received a record number of nominations from former patients, colleagues and friends “eager to recognise the excellent work that goes on daily in the county”.

The Chair’s Award, the last to be announced, is a special award made by the health board’s chair, Prof Vivienne Harpwood, who reviews each and every nominee to identify individuals and teams who truly reflect the values of the NHS.

“Reading through all the nominations I was struck by an immense passion that shone from a number of nominations all from this hospital,” she said.

“Their friendly attitude, the way that they work together to overcome the challenges of working in such a rural area, the connections they have with their communities in partnerships. I am delighted to recognise their efforts with this award.

“I am so proud of everyone.”

In the Powys Stars category, nominated and voted for by the public, paediatric diabetes nurse specialist Beth Hughes of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust was a joint winner.

She supports diabetic children across north Powys and was nominated by Beth Williams from Machynlleth for the support provided to her eight-year-old daughter Mia.

Mrs Williams said: “Mia was so excited to be here today and overjoyed that Beth won.

“She has been a massive support us as a family.

“Beth is someone who represents everything amazing about a nurse. Jolly, fun and caring.

“She is really a one-off and we feel so privileged to have her in our lives."

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