'Angela has been our lifeline' | Meet August's Health Hero

Angela Amey-Jones, a Health Visitor for Radyr Medical Centre in Cardiff West, has been named August’s Health Hero in recognition of the unwavering support and meaningful impact she provides to the families she works with.

Angela began her career with Cardiff and Vale UHB in 2011 as a midwife. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, she felt ready for a new challenge. To become a health visitor, professionals must first be a registered nurse or midwife, and then complete postgraduate training to qualify as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, which Angela did in 2022.

“I loved being a midwife. I thought it was through me like a stick of rock,” Angela said. “But being a health visitor allows me to use a lot of my midwifery experience as well. We follow the Healthy Child Wales programme supporting families with children from birth to the age of five.

“The aim is to ensure that children develop, progress and reach their full potential. So hopefully we can spot any problems early and make the necessary referrals so children, and their families, get the support they need.”

Much of the work of health visitors can go unseen, but their role is vital in early years care.

Angela said: “When everything is going well, people often don't realise what health visitors do. But there's a lot of work behind the scenes to support families navigate difficult times. 

"It could be with a health condition that needs additional support, behavioral or development concerns. We work with a range of clinicians and agencies – from dietitians, physiotherapists, safeguarding, audiology – to get the right help in place.”

Angela was nominated by Jessica Franks whose son was born in March with complex medical needs. Jessica wrote: ‘Angela has been our lifeline since the day she met Morgan. She has become a vital part of our lives visiting us weekly and walking this journey alongside us.

“This has been a really tough and emotional time for us all. Angela has been a constant source of strength, care, and reassurance throughout. She’s gone way above and beyond - not just in supporting Morgan’s needs, but in looking after me as a mum, offering emotional support, practical help, and always thinking ahead.

“She’s found colleagues with neonatal expertise to visit us, made early referrals, and ensured we were never left feeling alone or forgotten. She includes my older son with such kindness too, making sure he feels just as important when she visits and spends time with him. I truly don’t know how we would have managed without her. She deserves recognition for the meaningful impact she’s had on our family, and we’re truly grateful for everything she’s done.”

Reflecting on Jessica’s nomination, Angela said: “I can't believe, with everything that’s going on, Jess took the time to write something so lovely. But this is just a reflection of what health visitors are doing every day across Cardiff and Vale. I'm just very fortunate that she's taken the time to write that down because my colleagues are going above and beyond equally every day.”

In addition to home visits, the Health Visiting team run baby clinics at GP surgeries and in the community. They are trained nurse prescribers and offer support on a wide range of issues from feeding, behaviour and continence to development concerns and neurodevelopmental assessments.

Angela said: “It's an honour to be invited into families’ homes, when they're going through the lovely time of having a baby. But in times when families do need that extra support, like the family who has nominated me, it’s a privilege to be able to support them.”

Health Hero is kindly sponsored by Park Plaza Cardiff. As August’s Health Hero, Angela will receive a traditional afternoon tea for two.

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/news/latest-news/angela-has-been-our-lifeline-meet-augusts-health-hero/