Bravo: Our winners from the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards 2025
28.11.2025
Once again there was plenty for the Health Board to cheer about at this years RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards in Cardiff.
No less than four of our colleagues walked away with winners’ awards for their work looking after patients in North Wales.
Congratulations to everyone who represented the Health Board by applying to these prestigious awards.
Angela Wood, our Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “This year’s RCN Awards has again demonstrated the strength of nursing across North Wales. My congratulations to every winner and nominee — your work reflects the values and standards we aim for every day.
“Student nurses play a crucial role in our services and our future workforce. Thank you for your ambition, your professionalism, and your commitment to patients. We are proud to work alongside you, and we extend our congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients across our health board.”
Below is a precis of the work from those who were recognised in this year’s gala night of celebration.
Cindy Courtney: Winner of the Improving Individual and Population Health Award
Cindy is HoN for regional and specialist child and adolescent health services. The judges said she “demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities” via the work she led to redesign CAMHS crisis services, in order to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people.
She and her team used the voice of the children and young people they serve to help design a safer and more effective alternative to admission (A2A) service.
Her vision for A2A was to address the challenges children and young people, and parents/carers, experience when they need urgent support during mental health crises. For instance, by avoiding environments like emergency departments, which can further increase levels of distress.
Following a successful proposal to Welsh Government, Cindy was awarded funds to develop and deliver the proposed community-based crisis hub, so children and young people could access interventions in a more timely, safe and comfortable space.
Conditions of funding meant it had to be operational within the financial year. Cindy went above and beyond to drive the project forward, while ensuring quality and standards were retained.
The A2A hub went live in late December 2024 and data analysis and feedback have shown the new care pathways are achieving their goals. They are drastically reducing both unnecessary admissions and s.136 orders.
Congratulations to Cindy, who has led her team to a remarkable transformation in how children and young people in crisis are treated.
Dr Sheila Shepley: Registered Nurse – Child Award
Sheila, a nurse consultant in epilepsy, has devoted most of her 25-year career to epilepsy services across North Wales.
Her passion and devotion to delivering high standards of nursing care, notably for young people transitioning to adult services and pregnant mothers with the condition, was noted by the judges and is evidenced by her colleagues.
Among her many achievements, she has worked with neurologists to establish special clinics for teenagers moving from paediatrics. She has developed the role of the epilepsy specialist nurse, introduced a first-fit flow chart for use in emergency departments and held a joint epilepsy and pregnancy clinic in Glan Clwyd Hospital for pregnant women to have a consistent approach to their epilepsy care, throughout pregnancy and postnatally.
Sheila’s passion for raising awareness is shown through her published work, including two books, publications, a podcast and various conference presentations.
Always family-focused, her PhD research was based on interviewing parents and children, through their transition to adult services.
Sheila has developed the role of the epilepsy specialist nurse significantly over the years, building a strong rapport with patients across North Wales and striving to provide accessible services for epilepsy patients to live a healthy life.
She has shown this through her educator/mentoring role, developing services following national pathways and working closely with other professionals, as well as patients and families.
Well done Dr Sheila Shepley - and thank you for all the groundbreaking work you have done for young people and pregnant mothers.
Zoe Dolman: Learning Disabilities Award
Zoe, a senior specialist behavioural nurse, was said by the judges to “lead with integrity and innovation” in her role supporting people with complex behavioural needs. By focusing on the individual, not the problems, she is transforming services, empowering teams and enriching lives.
Zoe has bridged community and inpatient services, strengthened collaboration across teams, improved continuity of care and enhanced outcomes for patients. Her ability to build trust and foster professional relationships is a testament to her leadership and kindness.
Her current work involves pioneering the integration of the Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) model across services - a transformative approach which enhances the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities.
In one recent case, Zoe’s intervention prevented a young man with a history of trauma and complex behavioural challenges from being moved to a more secure care model, thus changing the trajectory of his life. Through the principles of PBS, Zoe led the team in identifying barriers to effective support, addressing staff fears and fostering a culture of empathy and confidence.
Her intuitive kindness, combined with clinical expertise, enabled the team to re-engage the individual in meaningful community-based activities.
Zoe promotes positive risk-taking, supports staff development and ensures all interventions are grounded in evidence, safety, and respect.
What a lovely testament to Zoe’s work and a well deserved recognition from the RCN judging panel.
Alwen Sayer: Nursing Student Award
Wrexham University student Alwen consistently exceeds expectations, not only ensuring patients receive appropriate, safe, and dignified care, but also by making sure her student nursing colleagues are supported.
A student nurse (adult) on the part-time Bachelor of Nursing course for health care assistants, she is recognised for her integrity, professionalism, and deep passion for nursing.
Patients and families remark on her ability to listen attentively, provide reassurance, and advocate for their needs, incorporating her excellent Welsh language skills when appropriate. Her critical thinking, knowledge, expertise, and respectful clinical advice and influence have also earned praise from doctors as well as nurses.
As a team player and natural role model, Alwen’s peers value her guidance and support. Academically, she has maintained a high standard, balancing the demands of clinical placements, academia, and her substantive post commitments.
During a recent placement in the coronary care unit, she showed exceptional initiative with her understanding and evidence-based knowledge to prevent a significant patient injury.
Alwen has been a natural role model to fellow student nurses, always willing to offer guidance, share knowledge and support colleagues under pressure. Furthermore, she actively participates in initiatives to improve nursing practices, such as contributing to student leadership sessions.
Congratulations Alwen and good luck in your future career.
Runner-up in this category was another Wrexham University student, Abbie Sanders. A student paediatric nurse, she impressed the judges with her ability to build strong therapeutic relationships, through her kindness, compassion, resilience, determination, and professionalism. All of this despite alongside navigating some significant personal challenges.
Abbie’s final literature review explored initiatives for supporting the emotional health of nurses—an impressive, thoughtful and well-researched piece of work which achieved a mark of 82%. Well done Abbie and we look forward to seeing you in the future.
An honourable mention goes to specialist medicine management nurse Ffion Pursglove. She was runner-up in the Research, Innovation and Digitalisation Award category for her work helping to lead our digital medicines management platform.
Through her drive to ensure we led the way on this, other health boards, along with HEIW, are looking at implementing similar solutions. Well done to Ffion and her colleagues for all the work undertaken in leading the digital charge in medicines management.
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