Shane Mills Wins Chief Nursing Officer for Wales RCN Award

Shane Mills, Commissioning Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Vulnerable Groups, is the winner at the 11th RCN Wales Nurse of the Year Awards at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Thursday 21 November 2024 where nurses from across Wales were recognised for their contributions at the prestigious awards ceremony.

Shane won one the Chief Nursing Officer Award, one of 14 award categories, that celebrates the inspirational and motivational nursing, a pioneer in nursing or midwifery, and a trailblazer of innovative practice.  

The award recognised Shane for making a significant contribution towards establishing ground-breaking patient-safety schemes, developments in services, and initiating innovative change in nursing or midwifery practice.  The award requires evidence that such schemes, projects or innovations have had demonstrable benefits to person centred holistic care. 

The awards recognise innovation and excellence in practice, acknowledging the outstanding efforts, commitment and achievements made by the whole of the nursing community across Wales.

Nominated nurses, midwives, nursing students and health care support workers must demonstrate a passion for their profession and exemplify distinction in care, leadership, service and innovation.  Individuals can be nominated for an award by peers, teams, managers, patients and the public.

Shane said:  "To say it is an honour to receive such an award, is an understatement.

"I have loved every aspect of my career and consider it a privilege to be able to work across the system commissioning services that ultimately make a real difference to the patients we're here to serve.

“I am also humbled by the nomination and would like to thank my colleagues, both within the NWJCC and across the nursing landscape, , for their commitment in working with me to add value to the whole system.”

Stacey Taylor, Interim Chief Commissioner said:  "We are thrilled for Shane to have such prestigious recognition for his contribution to nursing and system leadership across NHS Wales.  

“There is no doubting Shane's commitment and passion for commissioning services in mental health, learning disabilities and vulnerable groups for patients in Wales needing these services.”