Exceptional hepatology nurse named RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2023

Tara, a lead nurse practitioner for the hepatology service at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and clinical expert in her field, was recognised for her outstanding contribution to patient care and service development.

Tara has dedicated her career to creating new services for those with specialist needs. She recently set up a hepatocellular carcinoma service for patients with end-of-stage liver disease. The new service is a major step for patients who will have access to a key worker for the first time.

This achievement followed Tara’s establishment of the first community clinic in Wales to treat viral hepatitis C patients, and her creation of the hepatology clinical nurse specialist role. She has also led on national accreditation for the hepatology service and was the lead nurse for the All-Wales Liver Disease Delivery Plan.

The judging panel felt that Tara was exceptional, inspiring and had dedicated her nursing career to care of patients, advocating for a patient group that can’t always speak for themselves. She is committed and passionate about developing her team and shared learning, training medical staff up to registrar level as well as advanced practice nurses in other health boards throughout Wales.

RCN Wales Director Helen Whyley said: “Tara is an amazing nurse who has gone above and beyond to improve the patient experience. She is a very worthy winner of the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Award.

“I’d also like to extend my congratulations to all the award winners and shortlisted nominees who have demonstrated their passion for the nursing profession to deliver exceptional care to the people of Wales at a time when they are increasingly under pressure. Whether in our communities, on wards, in clinics, in classrooms or in the board room, we saw just how committed these finalists are in upholding the highest standards of professional practice.”

Tara said: “I am immensely proud and this is a highlight in my nursing career. It is a true honour and one I take respectfully. I will use the platform to highlight nursing in liver disease as this is usually a speciality hidden under the gastroenterology umbrella. It is challenging and very rewarding and I am passionate about motivating others and will encourage nurses to showcase their excellent work. I would like to be a role model and ambassador and will hopefully encourage people into the nursing profession.”

Above: Tara Rees

Huge thanks to all of our sponsors for this year’s awards – with their support, we were able to celebrate our finalists and the contribution they’ve made to health care services that benefit the people of Wales – in style.

Catch up on all the action on Twitter: #WalesNOTY23

Below: take a look at all of our RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2023 winners and runners up.