National award for inspiring nurse leader
Main image: Hazel Powell, centre, and from left to right Emily Davies, Acting Associate Director of Nursing and Patient Experience, Paul Stuart Davies, Acting Deputy Director of Nursing and Patient Experience, Business Manager Carwyn Davies, Nursing Officer Gillian Knight and Mark Madams, Associate Nurse Director.
An inspiring nurse leader was surprised with a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Wales Excellence Award on her last day with Swansea Bay.
Hazel Powell was nominated for her work which has seen the number of patient falls in hospitals drop below the average for Wales and, through partnership working, a drastic decrease in falls in care homes.
She has also championed the training and career development of nurses and midwives at all levels, including those who have come from overseas.
Nursing Officer Gillian Knight presented the award to Hazel on behalf of CNO Sue Tranka.
Gillian said: “You have got a moral compass that is just right and an energy and enthusiasm to make things better for the profession that is evident and oozes from you. You’re a fabulous colleague and have the ability to bring a team along with you which is clear from the submission from your time here at Swansea Bay.”
Addressing her colleagues Hazel said: “This means loads to me because it’s from you.”
Hazel is originally from Scotland and qualified as a registered mental health nurse in 1990.
She has been with the health board for nine years in all, starting in 2016 as Nurse Director Mental Health and Learning Disabilities.
Following a secondment to Welsh Government as a senior professional advisor to the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Hazel was Deputy Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Experience in Swansea Bay between March 2022 and March 2024.
She has held the role of Acting Executive Director of Nursing since 2024. She will continue her career in Devon Partnership NHS Trust as Chief Nursing Officer and Allied Professions lead.
The nomination, submitted by close colleagues, set out how Hazel led the development of Swansea Bay’s Quality Strategy and revised quality and safety structures, engaging with clinical and delivery groups and embedding new systems quickly.
She has also led the way in developing Swansea Bay as a great place to work for overseas nurses, ensuring they are supported to progress in their careers.
And, as a direct result of What Matters to Me? conversations with nurses and midwives, a Nursing and Midwifery Academy was established to offer a suite of development opportunities for nurses and midwives, including leadership programmes.
The CNO Excellence Awards recognise dedication, innovation and excellence in supporting the population of Wales.
Elizabeth Rix is due to take up the position of Executive Director of Nursing at Swansea Bay next month.
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