Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board HQ, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff (2026)

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Cardiff And Vale University Local Health Board HQ, University Hospital Of Wales, Heath Park

16/03/2026

Barry Minor Injuries Unit could be the best option for you. 🚑

The Minor Injuries Unit at Barry Hospital is an appointment-only service designed to treat a range of minor injuries or illnesses.

These can include:
• Limb injuries (broken bones or fractures)
• Wounds, grazes and minor burns
• Head or face injuries provided there is no loss of consciousness

The Minor Injuries Unit is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4pm, including bank holidays. Call 111 to book an appointment.

Get seen by the right person, in the right place, first time.

15/03/2026

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the many mothers who deliver outstanding patient care across Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. We are proud to have a number of mother-daughter and mother-son duos working together across the Health Board.

One such family is Kelly Brown and her daughters, Hannah, Laura and Lucy. Following in their mother’s footsteps, all three daughters have pursued careers in health care, each contributing to patient care in their own way.

For the past four years, Kelly has worked as a Memory Link Worker, supporting patients and families affected by cognitive impairment and dementia, and helping them navigate what can often be a challenging and emotional time. Kelly said:

“Working in the same organisation as my daughters makes me incredibly proud. We each play different roles within the Health Board, but we share the same commitment to caring for others.

Working here isn’t just a job - it’s something that means a great deal to our family. Caring for others has always been at the heart of what we do.”

Kelly’s daughters are also based at the University Hospital of Wales, each contributing to patient care in different ways.

Hannah has worked in the Gynaecology Unit for 12 years as a Health Care Support Worker, supporting women through sensitive and sometimes difficult experiences.

Laura began her career at Cardiff and Vale as a Health Care Support Worker 12 years ago and has since progressed into the role of Patient Flow Co‑ordinator in the Emergency Unit. She supports patient flow across the department and assessment areas to help ensure safe and timely care.

Lucy, the youngest sibling, began her career with the Health Board seven years ago as a Health Care Support Worker in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She has since qualified as a registered nurse after completing a flexi nursing degree, and now cares for some of the most vulnerable babies while supporting families through emotional and uncertain times.

Nursing has long been part of the family’s story. Kelly was inspired by her late mother, Gloria, who worked as a staff nurse at the former miner’s hospital in Caerphilly.

14/03/2026

The Supportive Care team at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have begun the rollout of the Wristband Initiative, a transformative piece of work helping people with life-limiting conditions manage their care.

Currently, 89% of people with an end-of-life condition will use unscheduled care via the Welsh Ambulance Service, and 38% of these will go on to be admitted to hospital.

Patients that understand they have an end-of-life condition generally prefer to be at home when they pass away. Despite 80% of people preferring to pass away in the comfort of their own home, approximately 46% will die in hospital.

The Wristband Initiative aims to help patients with these conditions to be empowered to live their lives as confidently as possible knowing decisions about their care will be communicated in the event they become unwell.

The Wristband Initiative involves suitable patients wearing a wristband with a QR code as a means of sharing important medical information to different healthcare professionals to access when they need it.

The wristband is worn like a watch, with the QR code taking people to a personalised webpage with the patient information uploaded and kept updated by their healthcare team. This information is kept private, and only able to be accessed by also using the PIN code, also found on the wristband.

Information is only shared with the patient’s permission. The type of information likely to be uploaded might include:

* Important current and past medical illnesses and details of treatments they are receiving
* Medications, including any allergies
* Emergency contacts for both loved ones and the patient’s healthcare team
* Information about what to do if the condition progresses
* Information on the patient’s wishes and preferences - for example, some patients do not want to be readmitted to hospital unless there is a clear reason why
* Some patients wish to include a Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) form

Whenever healthcare information about the patient is needed, especially in an emergency, GPs, nurses or paramedics can scan the QR code on the wristband and link to the patient’s individual website.

Hospital care is often the default for deteriorating patients, and the information provided instantly with the wristband can help healthcare colleagues respect their wishes and provide the most appropriate care.

The wristbands had been piloted with an initial ten patients needing supportive care for heart failure, adult congenital heart disease and interstitial lung disease. Following its success, another 200 wristbands have been delivered for an additional roll-out.

Preliminary feedback so far has been outstanding. Patients have noted that they feel more confident to make the most of their remaining time knowing they will be well cared for with their wishes respected.

“I’ve got on a bus because I know they’ll have my information if I became poorly,” said one patient. Another patient had commented that the paramedics they had come into contact with had felt it was very helpful.

Respecting the patient’s wishes is critical to this project’s success. In its first ten patients, it has already led to reduced hospital admissions, better contact with a patient’s care delivery team, and ensured another patient was in their preferred place when their condition deteriorate and needed end of life care.

Clea Atkinson, Consultant in Palliative Medicine said: “The Wristband Initiative gives patients the comfort of knowing that, wherever they are, the healthcare professionals looking after them will have instant access to the information that matters most. It empowers people to stay at home and feel more confident.”

This initiative has been funded by The Macmillan End-of-Life Care Social Investment Fund which will see Macmillan Cancer Support invest £36m into End-of-Life Care services across the UK with no financial return. The Macmillan EOLC Fund Team provide programme, clinical, financial and data analytics expertise at no cost to the partners.

Macmillan provides up-front funding for services and is repayable if mutually agreed outcomes are met, thereby absorbing the risk. The fund is available now and will see Macmillan invest £36m in End-of-Life-Care services across the UK with no additional financial return.

14/03/2026

End your night out on Caroline Street, not the Emergency Unit. 🚨

If you're out and about supporting Wales in the rugby this weekend, please make sure you stay safe and drink responsibly.

In the past we've see an increase in late-night attendances to the Emergency Unit on rugby days. Please remember to only attend the unit if you have a life-threatening illness or serious injury.

If you are heading out for a few drinks, please be sensible and work . Know your limits, stay hydrated and help us ensure our Emergency Unit can deal with those who really need it this weekend.

13/03/2026

Meet Rachael, a Discharge Liaison Nurse working at University Hospital Llandough.

Rachael helps patients return home as soon as they’re clinically optimised (medically ready to leave hospital), because being at home is usually the best place to recover.

Rachael’s work supports the Home First approach, meaning that being in familiar surroundings and usual routines with friends, family or carers around you, helps you recover quicker following a hospital stay.

“If you have a family member who’s in hospital right now, we’d urge you to start having conversations about their discharge from hospital as soon as possible."

“It’s important that patients are involved in the decision-making process from day one, and have their thoughts and feelings listened to.”

You could also help speed up the discharge process by:
• Offering help with transport home
• Bringing them suitable clothing and footwear
• Ensuring they can safely access their property when returning home

To find out more, please visit the website.

13/03/2026

Today is World Sleep Day – and if you’re looking to improve your sleep habits, we have a range of tips and resources to help you get a goodnight’s rest: https://orlo.uk/W1j3n

12/03/2026

Meet the some of the team behind the Seibiant Sanctuary at Platfform.

They support people experiencing mental health crisis, either over the phone or in-person.

The Sanctuary offers a welcoming space to those in-need across Cardiff and the Vale. The team offer advice, support and a safe space to breathe and connect between the hours of 5pm and 1am.

“We can give individuals in a mental health crisis tailored support for two hours either over the phone or face to face that same evening” explains Ben, a Caseworker who works at the Seibiant Sanctuary. “We offer a safe space to calm down and regulate.”

The service, which is partly funded by the Health Board in conjunction with Platfform, offers trauma-informed and person-centred care. “What this means is we’re here to talk about what you want to talk about” says Ben. “We try and make the whole process as open and easy as possible, so people get care specific to their needs.”

To access the Sanctuary, call NHS 111 Wales and select option 2. You can either ask directly to be connected to the Sanctuary, or the call handler will assess your needs and refer you to the service if appropriate.

12/03/2026

On Tuesday 10 March, NHS Wales colleagues, partner organisations and industry stakeholders gathered at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to celebrate the launch of QuicDNA Max.

Sponsored by Russell George MS, the event marked an important milestone as the QuicDNA Max programme expands across additional solid tumour types. The initiative aims to support more timely and targeted treatment decisions and help improve cancer outcomes for patients across Wales.

The expansion follows the success of the original QuicDNA initiative, which explored the use of liquid biopsy in the lung cancer diagnostic pathway. The study demonstrated how liquid biopsy can speed up genomic diagnosis and improve access to personalised treatments. As a result, liquid biopsy has now been commissioned into the standard care diagnostic pathway for patients with advanced-stage lung cancer across Wales. QuicDNA Max will build on this success by scaling the technology across multiple cancer diagnostic pathways to support faster treatment decisions and more personalised care nationwide.

The event was opened by sponsor Russell George MS and chaired by QuicDNA project leads Dr Magda Meissner and Sian Morgan.

It featured a presentation from clinicians directly involved in the programme followed by a panel discussion that showcased the collaborative nature of this initiative. The panel brought together NHS oncologists, industry partners and patient advocate Craig Maxwell and his wife Tracey Maxwell to share perspectives on the impact of innovation in cancer care.

The evening concluded with closing remarks from Carys Thomas, Head of Research and Development Policy for Science, Research and Evidence at Welsh Government, before attendees continued discussions during a networking reception.

Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Senior Responsible Officer for the QuicDNA Programme, said:

“Wales is leading the way in evaluating liquid biopsy cancer genomics and QuicDNA Max is a powerful example of how cutting-edge innovation may translate into real world impact.

“Liquid biopsies offer faster genomic results, fewer invasive procedures and greater equity of access. By scaling this nationally, we have an opportunity to improve care for thousands of people and strengthen cancer services for the future. I'd like to thank all our partners whose collaboration showcases the strength of joint working across Wales and our shared commitment to improving cancer outcomes.”

All Wales Medical Genomics Service Genomics Partnership Wales

12/03/2026

Secondary schools across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan came together at Cardiff City Stadium to showcase best practice in supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of pupils and staff.

The Whole School Approach Celebration and Sharing Event featured inspiring presentations from Whitmore High School, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Llantwit Major School, Fitzalan High School and Pencoedtre High School, alongside a bustling marketplace of local and national organisations.

A fantastic opportunity to connect, share ideas and highlight the positive progress being made to put wellbeing at the heart of school life.

12/03/2026

To commemorate World Kidney Day, we're resharing our story from last year about our Renal Youth Worker, Becky Frew.

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When the David Thomas Unit (DTU) had an influx of young people as patients, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board knew it was more important than ever to have a resource for young people needing dialysis.

Introducing Rebecca ‘Becky’ Frew: a renal youth worker for patients aged 15-25. Becky’s role within the Health Board is to be an advocate for young people undergoing dialysis and transplants.

Visiting young patients wherever they are in the transplant process, Becky can be found at the DTU and other dialysis satellite sites providing support socially, emotionally, and academically. She also helps to support parents in navigating the additional needs that come with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease is a long-term condition where the kidneys do not work as well as they should.

In adults, chronic kidney disease is often caused by other conditions that put a strain on the kidneys, such as diabetes, or high blood pressure, however young people with CKD are more likely to have been born with kidney abnormalities, or to have developed rarer autoimmune kidney diseases.

Many people with chronic kidney disease will be treated with dialysis - a process that removes waste and extra fluid in the blood that would usually be filtered by the kidneys.

Being on dialysis can be limiting. Someone may be physically tied to a machine up to 3 times a week, for 4 hours. Their fluid intake may be limited and their diets restricted, as well as medication for immunosuppression.

As a renal youth worker, Becky is able to see the young people undergoing dialysis for a longer period of time. This means she can build stronger relationships, take the time to understand the patients as individuals and tailor support to each person.

Adolescence can be difficult even without chronic kidney disease. Her background in emotional support, emotional regulation and how to deal with trauma helps build

confidence in the young people she sees and reassurance they are more than their illness. Becky encourages young people to take control of their own health and be independent in managing at home dialysis.

Supporting in other ways, Becky organises events for young people on dialysis. Being able to speak to other teenagers going through similar situations is powerful. In her role as a youth worker, she has encouraged patients to attend a trip away from home filled with activities with dialysis arranged while on the retreat and has reported patients coming back with boosted confidence and able to talk about their medical needs with more ease.

Acknowledging diets can be restrictive, Becky has also arranged for a patient to join in with Kidney Care UK’s Kidney Kitchen, a team of chefs and dieticians who create specially planned recipes suited for people with CKD. They were able to create a recipe and will soon see them again for more cooking for specialised diets.

Becky also encourages the patients she works with to pursue their interests and has also recently helped a young person express his experience with CKD through the mode of song, recorded at Cathays Community Centre.

It’s important for young people with chronic kidney disease to know they have more support than just the medical team at University Hospital of Wales. While CKD can be difficult to manage, Becky helps them understand they are the same as any other young person with needs, wants, desires and can enjoy life to the fullest despite their condition.

Diana de Mejer, a young adult patient who attended the residential trip with Becky's support and encouragement said: "Before going on the residential, I hadn't spoken to anyone my own age about being on dialysis, or even left Cardiff, so this was a brilliant opportunity for me to build a peer support network and I am really grateful for the opportunity and felt really moved by the experience."

Alexa Wonnacott, Consultant Nephrologist for the David Thomas Dialysis Unit said: “Having a dedicated renal social worker for this cohort has been game changing; we have seen notable improvements in confidence and independence with many of our youngest patients taking ownership of their dialysis treatment by engaging in our shared care dialysis programme.

“We also have young adult patients interested in becoming peer mentors for others starting on their dialysis or transplant journey. The patients and the unit as a whole have greatly benefitted from Becky’s enthusiasm and support, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2025.”

Jodie, the parent of a young person with CKD said: “Becky has been an incredible source of strength and support for Dylan throughout his illness, standing by him during his most difficult times in the hospital.

“She has been a constant emotional pillar, helping him navigate the mental and emotional challenges that come with being ill. Her compassion and dedication have been invaluable, as she has consistently offered comfort, encouragement and love, never wavering even when Dylan struggled with his mental state.

“Her presence has played a crucial role in Dylan's journey, providing him with the resilience and hope to keep moving forward.”

Jodie continued: “I would also like to express my gratitude to Becky for being there for me as well. She always goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly during this challenging time. Even when we're not in the hospital, she takes the time to check in with us, offering her support and care.”

11/03/2026

The Help Me Quit app is a free tool designed for smokers in Wales that provides proven, personalised support to help people quit smoking.

Available in Welsh and English, it offers 24/7 motivation, practical quit tools and a direct link to expert Help Me Quit services for anyone needing extra help.

Download today and start your quit journey on your terms - day or night.

11/03/2026

Ever wondered what happens to your body after you quit smoking?

It doesn’t take long to see a significant difference

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

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