Health workers nominated for Welsh cancer care awards

INDIVIDUALS and teams from Swansea have been recognised in the shortlist for the Moondance Cancer Awards for their achievements and innovations in cancer services over the past two years.

Moondance Cancer Initiative exists to find, fund and fuel brilliant people and brave ideas to make Wales a world leader in cancer survival.

The awards aim to celebrate people across NHS Wales and its partners who have maintained and innovated cancer services despite the extraordinary circumstances of the past two years.

A total of 125 nominations were received, which have been shortlisted down to 62 organisations, teams and individuals across 11 categories including response to Covid-19, better patient experience and innovation in early detection and diagnosis.

Finalists named from Swansea University Health Board include Helen Gray, Rapid Diagnosis Centre coordination manager, alongside teams including the Ten Top Tips Team in collaboration with Wales Cancer Network and Public Health Wales, the Primary Care Led Cancer Health Optimisation team, the Rapid Diagnosis Centre and the South Wales Lung Cancer Collaboration.

The awards will be held on Thursday, June 16 at Depot, Cardiff, hosted by BBC presenter Jason Mohammed.

Commenting on the Moondance Cancer Awards, Dr Megan Mathias, chief executive of Moondance Cancer Initiative, said: “In hosting these awards, we want to thank the people who work tirelessly across all stages of cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment pathways while inspiring tomorrow’s solutions for survival.

“These awards really showcase that improvement is both possible and is happening across Wales’ cancer services.

“Finding the joy in work is vitally important to achieving our shared goal of a Wales where more people survive cancer. We hope this night of celebration will help to rekindle that sense of joy, acknowledge the achievements of the past, and look forward to the extraordinary ones yet to come.” ■■For more information on the awards, visit https:// moondance-cancer.wales/ awards