Children’s ward staff ‘stars’ went extra mile for family

STAFF on Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Children’s Ward have been recognised for going the extra mile to provide care and support to the family of a child with complex care needs.

The staff on Dewi Ward have received a Betsi Star award from Chief Executive Gary Doherty after being nominated by Oswyn Williams and Sarah Williams.

In August 2016, their son Jack was born at 26 weeks, weighing less than 1kg. He underwent twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome surgery at 23 weeks gestation. Sadly, his brother, Harry, didn’t survive.

He is now 20 months old and has complex care needs due to his extreme prematurity and problems in the first days of his life. He has hydrocephalus and severe cerebral palsy as well as brain damage. He will need ongoing care for the rest of his life.

His father, Oswyn, said his family, who live in Rhostrehwfa on Anglesey, wouldn’t have been able to get through these difficult times without the support of staff on Dewi Ward.

He said: “The care required takes a lot of our time away from Tomos, his older brother, who, at three years old, is at a critical stage in his emotional as well as physical development. Dewi Ward staff have provided us with the time we need to spend with Tomos whenever we needed it.

“My wife and I will never be able to thank them enough for the dedication and care they provided to our family as a whole.”

Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Mr Doherty, added: “Congratulations to the team on Dewi Ward. The care and support the staff have provided, and continue to provide, to little Jack and his family is truly outstanding and this is a very well deserved award.”