Many individuals struggle with the debilitating effects of trauma, with some self-medicating with opioids to numb emotional pain. While opioids may provide temporary relief, they can lead to addiction and further complications. Buvidal, a form of opioid substitution therapy, offers a promising new approach to treatment for opiate dependence.

The team driving a campaign to eliminate unnecessary glove use across Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and beyond has received national recognition. On Friday 20 June, members of the Critical Care and Shaping Change teams received an NHS Wales Sustainability Award at a ceremony held at the Swansea Arena.

Imagine the vulnerability of leaving a hospital setting, only to face the complexities of community life feeling unprepared. This is a reality many have experienced. However, the 'Prep 4 Discharge' (P4D) programme is changing that narrative. Students at the Recovery and Wellbeing College are now stepping into their communities with confidence and preparedness, witnessing life-altering outcomes. Shaping Change sought to understand the heart of this initiative, highlighting the powerful change being driven by colleagues within CAVUHB.

The Gloves Off campaign, initiated in Wales by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAV UHB), addresses the critical issue of excessive glove usage in NHS Wales. This initiative aims to reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions while promoting better hand hygiene and patient care. The project has gained significant traction, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the CAVUHB Shaping Change team, the Critical Care Directorate, and the NHS Executive.

Cardiff and Vale’s Heart Failure service at UHW faced a significant challenge: the single inpatient HF Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) was unable to meet the increasing demand for care. Considerable pressure on the hospital clinic and the small number of staff led to delays in patient care and poor outcomes. Shaping Change and Value in Health sought out ways to reshape the service in order to deliver value for patients using it’s current resources.