Recognising and celebrating the vital contributions made by our nursing colleagues

Anya Hughes is a Blood Borne Virus Nurse based at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham and is keen to shine a light on the wide range of nursing roles that support the NHS and communities across North Wales.

Anya, who joined the Health Board in 2021, has been recognised as Rising Star at the BCUHB Staff Achievement Awards and was also part of the award-winning team behind the behind the micro-elimination of Hepatitis C at the prison.

The project was a joint initiative between the Health Board, Public Health Wales and the charity Hepatitis C Trust. It involved offering 100 per cent of prisoners were a test, of which 90 per cent of men tested and 90 per cent of those diagnosed with Hepatitis C started treatment.

This is known as micro-elimination, meaning that within a particular environment, in this case HMP Berwyn, certain requirements for Hepatitis C testing and treatment have been reached. The success of this work was recognised when the team behind the project at the UK’s largest prison won the NHS Wales Team Culture Award.

Anya said: “International Nurses Day is a great opportunity to shine a light on the wide variety of nursing roles that support our NHS services and communities across North Wales.

“I originally worked as a Drug and Alcohol Nurse before I was offered the opportunity to take on the role of a Blood Borne Virus Nurse. At the time, it was a position I hadn’t encountered before, but I quickly grew to appreciate its significance and developed a strong passion for the work. I came to understand just how vital this role is within the prison setting, where it bridges clinical expertise, public health advocacy, and social care.

“The prison population experiences disproportionately high rates of blood borne viruses due to various lifestyle factors, making this environment a key point of intervention. This role offers a unique opportunity to provide education, harm reduction, support, and treatment to an underserved and often marginalised group.

“Working in this setting is not without its challenges. Many individuals have never engage or have actively avoided engaging with healthcare services due to a lack of trust or chaotic life circumstances. As a nurse, I work daily to build trust and break down these barriers. I tailor my approach to each individual, offering compassionate, patient-centred care and acting as an advocate for their health needs.

“The majority of these patients have complex health and social issues, which require close multidisciplinary collaboration. This teamwork is essential in encouraging engagement, supporting the initiation and completion of treatment, and ultimately contributing to their broader rehabilitation goals. Through this work, we are not only helping individuals, but also reducing harm to the wider community.”

Angela Wood, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “Anya has demonstrated her commitment to nursing and improving quality of services for our patients. Her recognition is well deserved and she continues to demonstrate the values of BCU. On International Nurses Day we have an opportunity to celebrate nurses across the world, Anya represents us all.”