Cardiff and Vale team recognised for improving treatment experience for advanced heart failure patients 

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Supportive Care Services (SCS) has won the Health and Care Research Partnership with Industry Award, sponsored by Health and Care Research Wales, at this year’s MediWales Innovation Awards.

The award is given to those who have partnered with industry to deliver a project that demonstrates significant positive impact on the health, wellbeing and/or prosperity of the people in Wales.   

The winning team worked closely with industry partners Vygon and pharmacy to develop and introduce a patient-centred, cost-effective, user-friendly infusion treatment, delivered in the community for advanced heart failure patients (AHFPs).   

The partnership has helped improve patient and carer experience, supporting patients to be treated in their preferred environment, as well as improving safety, reducing environmental impacts, and effectively lowering hospital admissions.  

Dr Clea Atkinson, Consultant in Supportive and Palliative Care received the award. 

Clea said: “We are delighted for our work to be recognised by MediWales and to win this award. This has been a team effort demonstrating the value of joint working between Cardiff and Vale UHB, Cardiff University and industry partners, in contributing to the improvement of health and social care research.  

“This approach has avoided multiple hospital admissions and allowed patients to be managed in their preferred place of care at home. We look forward to further developing our care model for the future benefit of many more patients”. 

Lydia Vitolo, Senior Industry Manager at Health and Care Research Wales said:   

"Health and Care Research Wales is proud to be an award partner for the 'Health and Social Care Research Partnership Award with Industry' at the 2022 MediWales Innovation Awards. We thank all those who have submitted an entry, it is truly inspiring to read so many examples of high-quality research happening across Wales.   

"We’ve seen an exceptionally high standard of applications this year; Dr Atkinson and Dr John, as well as all of their colleagues from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, should be incredibly proud of all their hard work and achievements. Health and Care Research Wales looks forward to continuing to celebrate the incredible health and social care research positively impacting the lives of Welsh people".   

For more information on the award ceremony's other winners, visit the MediWales website.