2015 Bevan Prize: Elizabeth Blewett & Cwm Taf UHB/Unite

Bevan Foundation
NewsJune 29th, 2015

The 2015 Bevan Prize for Health and Wellbeing recognises individuals and organisations from across the UK that have demonstrated excellence in their fields while championing the values underpinning the NHS. In the lead up to the winners being announced, we’ll be profiling the shortlisted entries every day this week.


Elizabeth Blewett

Finalist – Individual category

Elizabeth Blewett is the Chief Executive of Reaching Out East, a charity that supports over 1800 disabled and socially-isolated people living in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

Elizabeth was nominated for the strategic direction she has given Reaching Out East, as well as the range of experience and hands-on approach she takes to her role. She has forged links with other organisations in the borough and has deep commitment to empowering people in whatever situation they find themselves in.

Some examples of Elizabeth’s work include a programme which has helped 320 isolated older people to develop practical solutions to the barriers they face to leading independent lives, as well as supporting a young mother with a very serious long term health condition to enable her to access a personal health budget.

Her colleague who nominated her said: “Elizabeth is a strong and fearless advocate for some of the most vulnerable people in the borough. What makes the above examples possible are Elizabeth’s empathy, commitment and honesty. Finally, Elizabeth’s character is one of being open to change and not seeking any personal credit for the work she does.”

More information about Reaching Out East is available here.

Cwm Taf University Health Board and Unite

Finalist – Organisation Category

Cwm Taf University Health Board and Unite were nominated for their collaborative approach to achieving the health board’s motto ‘Cwm Taf Cares.’

The health board’s branch of Unite entered into discussions with Dr Paul Davies, Assistant Director of Operations for Mental Health and CAMHS, about how they could work together to improve care for confused patients in the general hospital setting, while also improving the advice available to staff.

As a result of this, a booklet was developed entitled: ‘Caring for the Confused Person in Hospital: A Handbook for Carers’. It has been distributed to every registered nurse and health care assistant working in Cwm Taf UHB.

The team member who nominated them said: “Both Cwm Taf University Health Board and Unite Cwm Taf Health Branch were determined that they would work together in a spirit of partnership to create a resource for its staff that would benefit the patients being cared for in the general ward environment and in the community setting.

The impact for patients has been to significantly improve their experience and improve the outcomes of the care provided. The impact on staff has also been considerable, increasing their understanding on the causes and effects of confusion but increasing their satisfaction of being able to give the best possible care to all patients, thus reducing their stress and frustration in a highly pressurised working environment.”

The handbook is available to download here.


The 2015 Bevan Prize for Health and Wellbeing is sponsored by:

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