Nurse honoured for work on dementia

The Lead Nurse for Dementia for Powys Teaching Health Board has been presented with her British Empire Medal at a ceremony in Newtown.

Heather Wenban was presented with the honour – announced in His Majesty King Charles’ Birthday Honours in June 2024 – by the county’s Lord Lieutenant Mrs Tia Jones at a ceremony at Hope Church which was attended by friends, family and colleagues.

Working in the NHS since 2011, first as a mental health nurse and for the past 6 years in her current role; Heather was nominated for the honour by health board colleagues who recognised that she provides impetus, compassion and a drive to improve dementia care in Powys & across Wales.  

Heather’s work has seen her leading the implementation of the All-Wales Dementia Standards in Powys. She has ensured improved diagnosis rates for people with dementia, the adoption of a new Hospital Charter, and wider engagement with communities to build their support for a dementia-friendly future. She ensures that the improvement of a person's journey pre and post diagnosis is fully informed by people with lived experience and their families.

She commented: “I’ve received this British Empire Medal and I’m absolutely blown away by it. I feel so humbled and privileged to receive this as I can use this to promote and raise the profile of dementia care in Powys and in Wales.”

“We have a four-point plan that we are working to in Powys to raise awareness and reduce  stigma because it’s so important that people understand what dementia involves and how they can seek advice at an early stage. We’re really keen to make people aware of how to go to their GP, and, if needed, be referred onto our Memory  Assessment teams. When people are admitted to our Powys hospitals we want people to have a good experience and the health board is working to align to the Dementia Friendly Hospital Charter to enhance their admission. To achieve the plan, staff need to have appropriate training to ensure they have the skills to meet the people in their care. These actions are part of the Powys plan to align to the All Wales Dementia Friendly Hospital Charter.”

Heather also thanked her family, friends and colleagues for their support over the years.

Linzi Shone is the health board’s Professional Head of Nursing: “It’s been such an extraordinary pleasure to work with Heather for the past two and half years since I’ve been Head of Nursing. Her passion for dementia care, her input into our hospital charter meetings, the way she keeps us motivated in this aspect of care is extraordinary. I can’t think of anyone more worthy of this award so congratulations, Heather.”

Heather played an instrumental part in helping Newtown become a Dementia Friendly Community, and implementing the Butterfly Scheme and John’s Campaign in all Powys wards. She has made a transformative impact on dementia care, inspiring those around her to bring their skills and creativity to overcome the specific challenges for care delivery in the most sparsely populated county in England and Wales.

You can find out more information about the local dementia support from the health board website at https://pthb.nhs.wales/dementia