A nurse at a south Wales hospital which treats and rehabilitates people with complex mental health needs won two gold awards at the Oscars of social care
Olivia Ferrari, who is Hospital Director at Heatherwood Court hospital in Llantrisant Road, Pontypridd, was the winner 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.
And she was also honoured with the Dignity In Care Award sponsored by the Welsh Government and announced by Jeremy Miles MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
The awards – dubbed the Oscars of social care – are organised by Care Forum Wales to recognize outstanding work in the care sector.
Olivia was unable to attend the ceremony at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel due to being overseas but watched online.
“I was aware that I had been nominated for the Nurse of the Year but never expected to win and had arranged a short break away so was unable to attend but watched the ceremony being streamed online.
“I was delighted to be awarded the gold award but I was really shocked when they announced my name as one of the Dignity in Care award winners. I think I screamed out loud when I heard it. It was a huge shock,” she said.
Speaking before the ceremony 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.”
Olivia said the awards recognise the work done by staff at Heatherwood Court to care for individuals with complex medical needs.
“Staff have worked hard to implement changes to meet the needs of patients at the hospital. There is a stereotypical view of mental health which is argued and deliberated daily. We ensure their (patients) voices are heard and we are proud of that.
“Our prime focus is ensuring patients are treated with dignity and winning these awards is an opportunity to present our work to a wider audience,” she added.
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 Olivia moved back to Heatherwood Court.
Throughout each and every one of her positions, Olivia has continued to work as a nurse.
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.
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high.
He added : “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.
“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.
“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
”We take our hats off to them.”
