Madelaine Watkins works within Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) and her amazing efforts to improve access for older persons dealing with psychosis, and educating staff earned her the title of Wales Nurse of the Year at last night’s (21 November) 11th annual RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards.
In a pilot role created just four years ago, following an audit that revealed that only 10% of people affected by psychosis received therapy and that 50% of community mental health staff said they needed psychosis training, this inspirational nurse transformed the approach to treatment and support.
Madelaine provides critical, trauma-informed therapies giving people and their families more autonomy when interventions are necessary. She adopts the language the person uses to describe their symptoms to enable a personalised approach to therapy.
Her comprehensive psychosis training for staff, delivered to over 100 personnel and training 17 Voices & Visions Champions has innovated their approach to caring for service users.
The judging panel called Madelaine an inspirational nurse who has consistently demonstrated a passion to provide a better patient experience, dedicating her nursing career to the improvement of services advocating for an overlooked group in society.
Helen Whyley, Executive Director RCN Wales, said:
"We are immensely proud to celebrate the achievements of this year's overall Nurse of the Year winner. As a clinical nurse specialist, Madelaine has made a remarkable impact by improving the lives of people with psychosis and empowering her colleagues to provide the highest standard of care. Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to innovation exemplify the very best of our profession. She is an inspiration to us all and a shining example of how nurses transform lives every day. “
“We look forward to Madelaine highlighting the work of mental health nurses in the coming year and I know she will be an excellent ambassador for the profession."
Madelaine Watkins, RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2024, said:
“This award means the world to me. It will give me a platform to showcase what clinical nurse specialists can do and to raise awareness of an underrepresented and disempowered group of older people having distressing experiences sometimes described as psychosis.
“By moving from a medical model towards a trauma-informed approach, with more psychological and social support, the benefits to treatment and healing outcomes are undeniable.
“I want to inspire more nursing staff to work in this field and help both students and newly qualified nurses to realise the career opportunities in mental health nursing.”
In a pilot role created just four years ago, following an audit that revealed that only 10% of people affected by psychosis received therapy and that 50% of community mental health staff said they needed psychosis training, this inspirational nurse transformed the approach to treatment and support.
Madelaine provides critical, trauma-informed therapies giving people and their families more autonomy when interventions are necessary. She adopts the language the person uses to describe their symptoms to enable a personalised approach to therapy.
Her comprehensive psychosis training for staff, delivered to over 100 personnel and training 17 Voices & Visions Champions has innovated their approach to caring for service users.
The judging panel called Madelaine an inspirational nurse who has consistently demonstrated a passion to provide a better patient experience, dedicating her nursing career to the improvement of services advocating for an overlooked group in society.
Helen Whyley, Executive Director RCN Wales, said:
"We are immensely proud to celebrate the achievements of this year's overall Nurse of the Year winner. As a clinical nurse specialist, Madelaine has made a remarkable impact by improving the lives of people with psychosis and empowering her colleagues to provide the highest standard of care. Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to innovation exemplify the very best of our profession. She is an inspiration to us all and a shining example of how nurses transform lives every day. “
“We look forward to Madelaine highlighting the work of mental health nurses in the coming year and I know she will be an excellent ambassador for the profession."
Madelaine Watkins, RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2024, said:
“This award means the world to me. It will give me a platform to showcase what clinical nurse specialists can do and to raise awareness of an underrepresented and disempowered group of older people having distressing experiences sometimes described as psychosis.
“By moving from a medical model towards a trauma-informed approach, with more psychological and social support, the benefits to treatment and healing outcomes are undeniable.
“I want to inspire more nursing staff to work in this field and help both students and newly qualified nurses to realise the career opportunities in mental health nursing.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Psychosis in older people is still underexplored area of clinical practice; in Wales, Early Intervention Psychosis provisions is not available to those over 65.
- This year the awards were held at the Mercure Holland Hotel, Cardiff and hosted by television and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.
- Attendees included the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones; Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services; and Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN.
List of all winners and runners-up:
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Winner: Claire Hurlin, Strategic Head Community and Chronic Conditions Management Hywel Dda University Health Board
Registered Nurse – Child
Winner: Katie Moore, Early Years Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Health Visitor, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Runners-up: Sharon Driscoll, Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner and Rebecca Powell, Deputy Team Manager for Care Closer to Home, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Community and Primary Care Award
Winner: Joanne Davies Falls and Bone Health Service Lead, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Runner Up: Kim Baker Paediatric Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist Team Leader, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
Improving Individual and Population Health Award
Winner: Julia Somerford Senior Nurse for Physical Health, Mental Health Services for Older People and Neuropsychiatry, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Catherine Watts Head of Immunisation Services, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Registered Nurse – Learning Disabilities Award
Winner: Catherine Davies, Learning Disability Liaison Nurse, Powys Teaching Health Board
Runner Up: Katrina Wiegold, Ward Manager, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Registered Nurse – Mental Health Award
Winner: Madelaine Watkins, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Corrinna Cullen, Memory Service Team Lead, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Suzanne Goodall Independent Sector Nursing Award
Winner: Kiera Jones, Lead Nurse, Skanda Vale Hospice
Runner Up: Angela Owen, Nurse Development Lead, Elysium Healthcare
Specialist Nursing Award
Winner: Tim Nicholls, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dementia, Mental Health Services for Older People, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Diana Mehrez, Lymphoedema Clinical and On the Ground Education Programme Lead, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Health Care Support Worker Award
Winner: Sarah Bisp, Primary Care Support Worker, Memory Service, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Runner Up: Louise Gray, Health Care Support Worker, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Nurse Education Award
Winner: Lisa Franklin Head of Education, Culture, and Organisational Development, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Jill Barnes, Head of Professional Regulation, University of South Wales
Nursing Student Award
Winners: Aimee Robinson and Claire Welch, Student Nurses (Learning Disabilities), University of South Wales
Runner Up: Emily Hoskins, Student Nurse (Child), University of South Wales
Registered Nurse - Adult Award
Winner: Donna Major Senior Ward Sister, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Runner Up: Jade Cole, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Critical Care / Major Trauma / Emergency Department Research, Critical Care Research and Development Lead, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award
Winner: Shane Mills Director of Commissioning for Mental Health, Learning Disability & Vulnerable Groups, NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee
Runner Up: Bianca Oakley, Consultant Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Same Day Urgent Care, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Research, Innovation and Digitalisation in Nursing Award
Winner: Dr. Clare Bennett, Reader in Health Improvement and Co-Director Wales Centre for Evidence Based Care, Cardiff University
Runner Up: Catrin Codd Senior Professional Nurse Advocate, District Nursing, Swansea Bay University Health Board
- The RCN is the largest professional body for qualified, registered nurses, health care supporters and nursing students with over 30,000 members in Wales. The Royal College of Nursing represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policy.
- For further information please call the RCN Wales Media Hub on 029 20680769.
- Psychosis in older people is still underexplored area of clinical practice; in Wales, Early Intervention Psychosis provisions is not available to those over 65.
- This year the awards were held at the Mercure Holland Hotel, Cardiff and hosted by television and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.
- Attendees included the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones; Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services; and Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN.
List of all winners and runners-up:
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Winner: Claire Hurlin, Strategic Head Community and Chronic Conditions Management Hywel Dda University Health Board
Registered Nurse – Child
Winner: Katie Moore, Early Years Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Health Visitor, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Runners-up: Sharon Driscoll, Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner and Rebecca Powell, Deputy Team Manager for Care Closer to Home, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Community and Primary Care Award
Winner: Joanne Davies Falls and Bone Health Service Lead, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Runner Up: Kim Baker Paediatric Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist Team Leader, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
Improving Individual and Population Health Award
Winner: Julia Somerford Senior Nurse for Physical Health, Mental Health Services for Older People and Neuropsychiatry, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Catherine Watts Head of Immunisation Services, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Registered Nurse – Learning Disabilities Award
Winner: Catherine Davies, Learning Disability Liaison Nurse, Powys Teaching Health Board
Runner Up: Katrina Wiegold, Ward Manager, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Registered Nurse – Mental Health Award
Winner: Madelaine Watkins, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Corrinna Cullen, Memory Service Team Lead, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Suzanne Goodall Independent Sector Nursing Award
Winner: Kiera Jones, Lead Nurse, Skanda Vale Hospice
Runner Up: Angela Owen, Nurse Development Lead, Elysium Healthcare
Specialist Nursing Award
Winner: Tim Nicholls, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dementia, Mental Health Services for Older People, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Diana Mehrez, Lymphoedema Clinical and On the Ground Education Programme Lead, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Health Care Support Worker Award
Winner: Sarah Bisp, Primary Care Support Worker, Memory Service, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Runner Up: Louise Gray, Health Care Support Worker, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Nurse Education Award
Winner: Lisa Franklin Head of Education, Culture, and Organisational Development, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Runner Up: Jill Barnes, Head of Professional Regulation, University of South Wales
Nursing Student Award
Winners: Aimee Robinson and Claire Welch, Student Nurses (Learning Disabilities), University of South Wales
Runner Up: Emily Hoskins, Student Nurse (Child), University of South Wales
Registered Nurse - Adult Award
Winner: Donna Major Senior Ward Sister, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Runner Up: Jade Cole, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for Critical Care / Major Trauma / Emergency Department Research, Critical Care Research and Development Lead, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Chief Nursing Officer for Wales Award
Winner: Shane Mills Director of Commissioning for Mental Health, Learning Disability & Vulnerable Groups, NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee
Runner Up: Bianca Oakley, Consultant Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Same Day Urgent Care, Hywel Dda University Health Board
Research, Innovation and Digitalisation in Nursing Award
Winner: Dr. Clare Bennett, Reader in Health Improvement and Co-Director Wales Centre for Evidence Based Care, Cardiff University
Runner Up: Catrin Codd Senior Professional Nurse Advocate, District Nursing, Swansea Bay University Health Board
- The RCN is the largest professional body for qualified, registered nurses, health care supporters and nursing students with over 30,000 members in Wales. The Royal College of Nursing represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policy.
- For further information please call the RCN Wales Media Hub on 029 20680769.
