02/10/2024
Dedicated nurse Olivia in running for top award
With pic
A nurse at a south Wales hospital which offers treatment and rehabilitation for people with complex mental health needs described as the "ultimate team player" is in line for a prestigious award.
Olivia Ferrari who is Hospital Director at Heatherwood Court hospital in Llantrisant Road, Pontypridd, has been shortlisted in the category for Independent Sector Nurse of the Year at this year’s Wales Care Awards, which is sponsored by Ontex Healthcare, the leading international personal hygiene group.
The awards - dubbed the Oscars of social care - are organized by Care Forum Wales to recognize outstanding work in the care sector. Olivia will find out if she has won the award at a glittering ceremony hosted by television presenter Jason Mohammed at Cardiff's Holland House Hotel on October 18.
Sarah House, Operations Director Hospitals at the Iris Care Group which runs the hospital, said: "Olivia is the ultimate team player who both supports her colleagues by working as a nurse on shift, as well as encouraging their development and improving wellbeing in her role as Hospital Director.
“She has introduced many initiatives to support this, including a wellbeing clinic, a complaints and compliments forum, as well as a recommend a colleague scheme.
"Her leadership and nursing skills not only support the development of her team, they are having a positive impact on the safety and delivery of care for the hospital’s patients."
Modestly, Olivia said she had been fortunate to work with inspiring co-workers.
"Within the Iris Group and before that in the NHS I have worked with the most fantastic people at all levels. You are only as good as the people around you and they have given me the confidence to lead. I have known no other way," she said.
Olivia qualified as a nurse in 2008 and worked within the NHS and progressed to Deputy Ward Manager of a younger onset dementia ward. In that role she became an integral part of leading improvement in patient safety at Cardiff and Vale Health Board, implementing Safe Wards throughout wards she worked on, this in both the NHS and the private sector.
She joined Ludlow Street Healthcare in 2016 as a Ward Manager at Heatherwood Court and was later appointed Practice Development Nurse, overseeing training, line management and working with clinical leads within the hospital, later becoming Deputy Clinical Lead.
In November 2020, Olivia moved to St Peter’s Hospital, which is the Neuro-Psychiatry hospital within Ludlow Street Healthcare to take up the Clinical Lead role. Only a few months later being promoted to Hospital Director and, after having a “tangible impact“ on the running of the service, Olivia moved back to Heatherwood Court at the end of December 2023 as Hospital Director to continue her work. Throughout each and every one of her positions, Olivia has continued to work as a nurse as this continues to be Olivia’s passion.
She said: "I cover shifts twice a month as it keeps me in touch, working alongside those I manage. I am firmly of the belief you should never ask someone to do something you wouldn't be willing to do yourself. Shifts also keep me current and are an important part of my continuing professional development," she said.
As Hospital Director, Olivia keeps a close eye on updated guidelines, standards and research and continually develops her skills by attending conferences and forums.
She’s currently completing her Diploma in Leadership and Management and hopes to undertake her prescribing qualification next so that, instead of patients waiting for a doctor, she will be able to assist in prescribing medication herself.
Sarah House added Olivia's leadership and nursing skills not only support the development of her team, but they are also having a positive impact on the delivery of care for the hospital’s patients.
"Olivia has introduced in-house training programmes that focus on improving care at each service. At St Peter’s, these were around topics such as dysphagia and falls.
"She has also introduced safeguarding forums which give staff a chance to reflect upon and discuss any safeguarding concerns and ensure their knowledge and training is up to date.
"Olivia is incredibly patient centered in her approach to care. Being very mindful of patients’ cultural and spiritual needs, she has introduced a chaplain and increased the promotion of advocacy in her services.
“She also actively encourages patients to play an active part in their best interest’s meetings, as well as encouraging patients and families to attend multi-disciplinary team meetings.
"Olivia’s dedication to nursing is exemplary, and she thoroughly deserves recognition through this award."
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards, said: “Our aim is to recognize the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social care, 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 recognize the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need, and never recognize 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."
Dedicated nurse Olivia in running for top award
With pic
A nurse at a south Wales hospital which offers treatment and rehabilitation for people with complex mental health needs described as the "ultimate team player" is in line for a prestigious award.
Olivia Ferrari who is Hospital Director at Heatherwood Court hospital in Llantrisant Road, Pontypridd, has been shortlisted in the category for Independent Sector Nurse of the Year at this year’s Wales Care Awards, which is sponsored by Ontex Healthcare, the leading international personal hygiene group.
The awards - dubbed the Oscars of social care - are organized by Care Forum Wales to recognize outstanding work in the care sector. Olivia will find out if she has won the award at a glittering ceremony hosted by television presenter Jason Mohammed at Cardiff's Holland House Hotel on October 18.
Sarah House, Operations Director Hospitals at the Iris Care Group which runs the hospital, said: "Olivia is the ultimate team player who both supports her colleagues by working as a nurse on shift, as well as encouraging their development and improving wellbeing in her role as Hospital Director.
“She has introduced many initiatives to support this, including a wellbeing clinic, a complaints and compliments forum, as well as a recommend a colleague scheme.
"Her leadership and nursing skills not only support the development of her team, they are having a positive impact on the safety and delivery of care for the hospital’s patients."
Modestly, Olivia said she had been fortunate to work with inspiring co-workers.
"Within the Iris Group and before that in the NHS I have worked with the most fantastic people at all levels. You are only as good as the people around you and they have given me the confidence to lead. I have known no other way," she said.
Olivia qualified as a nurse in 2008 and worked within the NHS and progressed to Deputy Ward Manager of a younger onset dementia ward. In that role she became an integral part of leading improvement in patient safety at Cardiff and Vale Health Board, implementing Safe Wards throughout wards she worked on, this in both the NHS and the private sector.
She joined Ludlow Street Healthcare in 2016 as a Ward Manager at Heatherwood Court and was later appointed Practice Development Nurse, overseeing training, line management and working with clinical leads within the hospital, later becoming Deputy Clinical Lead.
In November 2020, Olivia moved to St Peter’s Hospital, which is the Neuro-Psychiatry hospital within Ludlow Street Healthcare to take up the Clinical Lead role. Only a few months later being promoted to Hospital Director and, after having a “tangible impact“ on the running of the service, Olivia moved back to Heatherwood Court at the end of December 2023 as Hospital Director to continue her work. Throughout each and every one of her positions, Olivia has continued to work as a nurse as this continues to be Olivia’s passion.
She said: "I cover shifts twice a month as it keeps me in touch, working alongside those I manage. I am firmly of the belief you should never ask someone to do something you wouldn't be willing to do yourself. Shifts also keep me current and are an important part of my continuing professional development," she said.
As Hospital Director, Olivia keeps a close eye on updated guidelines, standards and research and continually develops her skills by attending conferences and forums.
She’s currently completing her Diploma in Leadership and Management and hopes to undertake her prescribing qualification next so that, instead of patients waiting for a doctor, she will be able to assist in prescribing medication herself.
Sarah House added Olivia's leadership and nursing skills not only support the development of her team, but they are also having a positive impact on the delivery of care for the hospital’s patients.
"Olivia has introduced in-house training programmes that focus on improving care at each service. At St Peter’s, these were around topics such as dysphagia and falls.
"She has also introduced safeguarding forums which give staff a chance to reflect upon and discuss any safeguarding concerns and ensure their knowledge and training is up to date.
"Olivia is incredibly patient centered in her approach to care. Being very mindful of patients’ cultural and spiritual needs, she has introduced a chaplain and increased the promotion of advocacy in her services.
“She also actively encourages patients to play an active part in their best interest’s meetings, as well as encouraging patients and families to attend multi-disciplinary team meetings.
"Olivia’s dedication to nursing is exemplary, and she thoroughly deserves recognition through this award."
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards, said: “Our aim is to recognize the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social care, 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 recognize the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need, and never recognize 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."
