An “outstanding nurse” from Denbighshire is in the running for a top honour because of her work for those with learning disabilities.
Kathryn Taylor has been shortlisted in the category for Excellence in Mental Health at the Wales Care Awards.
The glittering ceremony organised by Care Forum Wales is being held at Cardiff City Hall on October 21.
Kath, 46, a Clinical Nurse Specialist with the MHC Residential Services Clinical Team based at Llandyrnog in Denbighshire, is delighted.
She said: “I like to think it is a reflection not only of the work I have done but also that of the team.
Kath has been in the nursing profession since the age of 18 when she left school, and for more than 20 years has specialised in the care of those with learning disabilities.
She admits that when she first began training as a nurse “it was just a job,” but now her life has become dedicated to ensuring that those she helps to care for have the same opportunities for a good life as anyone else.
“The correct management of medicine is paramount, using the least amount of medicine most effectively.”
She added : “These days there is a new focus on people with learning difficulties now that they live in the community rather than in the old days where they were taken to institutions, out of sight out of mind. Now they can contribute meaningfully to their communities
The nomination came from Deborah Roberts, the Director of Clinical and Therapy Services at MHC.
She said : “Kath is one of four Clinical Nurse Specialists employed by MHC who provide training, education and support to staff and direct support to 130 service users within our residential services. She has been employed for eight and a half years and is greatly valued by her colleagues, staff teams and service users.
“Kath has been instrumental as an individual employee in ensuring improvements in dementia screening, end of life planning, epilepsy care and physical health screening as well as medication management.
“She is an outstanding nurse who has contributed significantly to improvements in MHC’s services and the quality of life for service users.”
The decision to nominate her was made by the MHC senior management team. Among reasons to convince them she is a worthy contender is her identification of the need to change MHC medication training and to incorporate a competency skills framework, monitoring of medication administration and an audit system.
She reviewed and modified a medication management training package and after positive feedback implemented it as standard to all new staff.
Her initiatives had led to “a significant decrease in the medication errors” within MHC’s residential services. She also acts as a liaison between local GP surgeries and residential homes to ensure that annual health checks for those with learning disabilities are planned and co-ordinated.
“Kath is an extremely hard working and dedicated nurse who demonstrates her care and commitment to the service users and MHC staff teams on a daily basis – she is an asset to the team,” says Deborah Roberts.
Mario Kreft MBE, the Honorary Chief Executive of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength.
He said: “The event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar.
“The aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.
“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.
“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.
“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”
