The NHS Wales Awards is a prestigious annual event that celebrates exceptional achievements in health and social care, spotlighting incredible projects and teams that are improving quality and safety, while transforming experiences and outcomes for people in Wales.
36 projects have been selected as finalists, where judging panels will meet with the finalists to explore their projects in more depth. We’re delighted to hear two social care projects that we’re supporting, have been shortlisted as finalists.
Digital Medication Adherence – Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Reducing Harm, Restoring Confidence: A collaborative Digital Approach to Safer Medication Practices has been shortlisted in the NHS Wales Safe Care Award Category.
Managing medication is an increasing challenge, particularly as more individuals seek to maintain independence while living in their own homes.
A small group of patients from Bridgend have been working with their local health and social care teams to trial a medication device and associated package of wraparound care, designed to help people remain independent.
Digital medication management can help people stick to their medication regime and reduce waste – increasing independence and allowing users to stay within their own homes for longer. As well as providing user reminders when to take their medication, the device also sends alerts to family members or a Telecare Alarm Receiving Centre.
Tom Sauter, Clinical Lead Pharmacist, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said:
“The remote monitoring aspect is important as it enables families and services to further support individuals and prevent potential hospital admissions.”
VR Integrated Care Home Training - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
One Referral, One Visit: Timely Integrated Care for Swallowing, Nutrition and Medication Management in Care Homes has been shortlisted in the NHS Wales Timely Care Award category.
One of the pressing health issues the elderly population faces is oropharyngeal dysphagia, a swallowing difficulty that can lead to malnutrition, infections, and even death. To support care home staff in conducting integrated remote assessments, a Virtual Reality (VR) training program was co-developed with Goggleminds.
The program uses realistic, immersive scenarios to build skills and confidence, adopting a hybrid learning model that combines face-to-face instruction with VR simulation. The training enables care staff to recognise early signs of dysphagia, respond effectively to emergencies, and ultimately improve patient safety quality of care.
Sheiladen Aquino, Project Lead, Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said:
“We’re providing a crucial step in sustaining an integrated model of health and social care service, by utilising VR technology, training care home staff in remote assessments for swallowing, nutrition, and medication management.”
Congratulations to both projects shortlisted. This recognition not only highlights the remarkable work delivered daily but also shows the pivotal role we’re playing in driving innovation within social care. A big congratulations to all the finalists this year. See full list of shortlisted projects here.
Louise Baker, Project Lead, Life Sciences Hub Wales, said:
“As a Project Lead, I’m proud to see both the VR Integrated Care Home Training project and the Digital Medication Adherence project shortlisted for the NHS Wales Awards. These nominations are a testament to the art of possible and a desire to bring together staff across health and social care, industry, and people with lived experience in the community of Bridgend and deliver new ways of working.
The VR project shows how immersive technology can make staff training more engaging and improve learning outcomes, while the Meds Adherence project is ensuring people stay safe and independent at home for as long for as long as possible, and reducing strain on unpaid carers. Both projects are driven by collaboration and a shared passion to improve lives. It’s inspiring to see the impact that innovation can have for patients, unpaid carers, and staff teams who support them, and I’m grateful to be part of Tom and Sheiladen’s journey.”
The winners will be revealed at the ceremony on the 18th of November 2025. Find out more information about the awards, and explore this year’s nominations here.
Meds Adherence project partners: YOURmeds, Pivotell, SBRI Centre of Excellence, Life Sciences Hub Wales, Swansea University School of Management, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Welsh Government.
VR SALT project partners: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Goggleminds, Life Sciences Hub Wales, Bridgend Council, Digital Communities Wales.
