2021 Beat Flu Award winners
Published: 05 May 2021
Winners of the annual Beat Flu Awards in Wales have been announced.
These awards recognise, acknowledge and celebrate the incredible effort of individuals and teams in Wales who have worked hard to raise awareness and promote flu vaccination in Wales during this very challenging winter.
An individual award open to anyone involved in any element of the flu programme in Wales, who has demonstrated commitment and dedication to improving flu vaccine uptake.
Winner: Linda Tadgell, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Respiratory Medicine, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Ms Tadgell has shown great commitment in her role as a peer vaccinator, almost doubling the number of flu vaccines she has given to staff when compared to the previous year. She has helped to create a culture of engagement around the flu campaign using her knowledge and experience of flu vaccination to support all staff in the hospital. Targeting key areas of high priority (and supporting colleagues to make the right decision to protect themselves and others by having their vaccination) Ms Tadgell has played an instrumental role in the delivery of the flu programme.
Highly commended: Emma Williams, Practice Nurse, Gwalchmai GP Practice Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
A Practice Nurse who is always willing to go the extra mile for her patients
This award was open to any team involved in the flu programme in Wales.
Winner: Alison Jones, Community Pharmacy Primary Care, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board & Rhianydd Davies, Occupational Health, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
This team involved collaborative working between the health board and local authority to encourage flu vaccine uptake in social care staff. Community pharmacies gave vaccinations in clinics, which were set up in unused council offices/buildings. This collaboration has reported as being very successful, by the council, the community pharmacists and in particular the staff who used the service.
Highly commended: Mental Health and Learning Disability Directorate Vaccination Team, Hywel Dda University Health Board
This team worked together with enthusiasm, offering a combination of approaches that ensured the vaccine was delivered in a timely, effective and accessible way to health board staff
An award open to anyone involved in the flu programme in Wales who has addressed an inequity, inequality or inclusion issue.
Winner: Cath Hughes, Immunisation Nurse, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Through hard work, perseverance and the personal touch Ms Hughes has built up a relationship of trust with an independent Muslim school that has not previously engaged with the annual flu programme for pupils, helping to address concerns, and facilitating flu vaccination for the pupils. Ms Hughes vision is one of relationship building, collaborative working, inclusion and equity.
This award considered flu vaccine uptake in health boards and trusts in NHS Wales. Judged by an expert panel who considered the data for improvement, and achievement.
Winner: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)
BCUHB have achieved an increase of nearly 15 per cent in flu vaccination of frontline staff compared to last year. They have demonstrated the greatest increase in uptake of all the health boards/trusts in Wales and meant an additional 2,000 more frontline staff were vaccinated this year. A fabulous achievement in such a challenging year.
The expert panel judging this award considered flu vaccine uptake in the general practices in Wales, across the various elements of the programme.
Winner: Isca Medical Centre, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
This general practice increased vaccine uptake across all eligible groups, and saw the greatest increase in flu vaccine uptake in the long term health conditions group in Wales. An increase of 32.5 per cent.
With uptake over 70 per cent in this group, and in excess of 80 per cent in those aged 65 and over, and children aged two and three they are worthy winners of the General Practice Achievement Award.