In The Spotlight - Holly SanMiguel

People are at the centre of everything we do. Those who work at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board make a difference to people’s lives every single day.

Each month, the ‘In The Spotlight’ campaign will shine a light on the different people who make up Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, from those who support behind the scenes, to those who have passions that led them to work in their role.

As an organisation with over 17,000 colleagues, the campaign will highlight the variety of roles, teams and individuals across the health board. Working in the NHS can be life-changing, both for colleagues and for the patients they help.

‘In the Spotlight’ this month is Holly SanMiguel. Holly first experienced Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital as a patient when her son was born with a large ventricular septal defect, then served as a volunteer, before becoming a Children's Health Care Support Worker in the Paediatric Emergency Unit.

"When my first child, Isaac, was born with a large ventricular septal defect, we became patients at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital until he had corrective open-heart surgery at six weeks old in Bristol.

“Having spent so much time in hospital, I met so many nurses and doctors who provided care and compassion during the worst times.

“I began volunteering at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital to try and give something back for the care we had received, which involved providing fun and support for children and their families in their times of need.

“I later joined the health board as a Health Care Support Worker, and worked on adult wards, before I began working in the Paediatric Emergency Unit. Once I did, I never looked back.

“My duties include helping with the treatment of minor injuries, keeping the department stocked up, assisting with medical procedures, carrying out observations on patients and aiming to keep the children and families as relaxed as possible in times of high stress.

“I like to try and make the department as nice as possible for the children. I painted the windows with characters on, which the children and parents seem to really enjoy.

“The whole team are lovely to work with and are committed to providing the best care. They are all incredibly skilled and I look forward to continuing to learn from them all as I go.”