Scores of people across North Wales have had their dying wishes granted thanks largely to the pioneering work of a Llangollen woman.


Now the achievements of Theresa Richards have been recognised with her nomination for a prestigious accolade – and she could also be creating a little bit of history.


Theresa has been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards which are organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector, and it is believed she may be the first NHS employee to be nominated in the award scheme’s 15-year history.


She is shortlisted in the category for excellence in palliative and end-of-life care, sponsored by Hallmark Care Homes. The presentation ceremony will take place in City Hall, Cardiff on October 19.


This year marks Theresa’s 40th year in the NHS, having started out as a cadet nurse before qualifying as an RGN.


For 17 years she has specialised in the field of palliative and end-of-life care and her current role within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is as an end-of-life care nurse facilitator, a position supported by Macmillan.


Since 2013 she has been responsible for introducing the ‘six steps to end-of-life care’ programme in the independent care sector in North Wales.


Formerly only available in England, it entails working in partnership with local authorities to ensure that patients reaching the end of their lives in the care home of their choice instead of going into hospital.


“I have adapted it and given it a Welsh slant,” Theresa said.
Initially working only within Wrexham and Flintshire, she has since overseen the expansion of the scheme across North Wales and into Powys, and it is hoped that the whole of Wales will soon be involved.


Tracey Evans, the programme’s assessor and facilitator, who nominated Theresa for the award, said the work entailed developing a close partnership with the local authorities, supporting doctors and district nurses with practice development and ensuring that facilitators are trained to deliver the programme to the highest standards. 


“Through the programme, she ensures that the individual has a voice and is supported to stay in his or her preferred place of care, and that these wishes are documented in advance care planning,” said Tracey. 


“Theresa is passionate about ensuring that people have the best quality of palliative and end-of-life care, and the number of people who are able to remain in their preferred place of care is testimony to the quality of her work.”

Theresa, who recently won the Bevan Foundation award for innovation for her work on the scheme, said she was proud to see how the programme was being implemented and that residents’ wishes were being respected.


“It has been a great success with 90-100 care and nursing homes involved,” she said.


Theresa hopes that Tracey will be able to attend the awards ceremony with her as they work alongside each other. 


“I am absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted, especially as I understand it is so unusual for someone employed by the health board to be nominated for a care award,” she added.


Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength.


He said: “This year’s ceremony is an even more special occasion because it marks the 15th anniversary of the awards and the 25th anniversary of Care Forum Wales, and the event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar.


“The aim is to recognize the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.


“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the 'X factor'.


“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.


“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded,” he added.