A health board manager has won a national award for her achievements in transforming cancer diagnosis and referral pathways.

Kara Price, Transformation Programme Manager with Powys Teaching Health Board won the Systems and Pathways award in the Excellence category of the Moondance Cancer Awards at a ceremony in Cardiff.

She was recognised for her work in implementing new diagnostic and referral management methods, providing that all-important timely and effective use of evidenced based diagnostics within Powys to identify key conditions earlier and closer to home. 

She was nominated for the award by Dr Ruth Corbally, PTHB Clinical Lead for Cancer, for her work on the TNE and Capsule Sponge Device Implementation pilots as well as her work on Referral Management initiatives. 

Ms Price said: “I’m really pleased to have been able to get these projects to delivery and improve services for Powys patients. There are few of us who aren’t touched by cancer in some ways – whether its ourselves, our family or friends – so to be able to make a difference in this area is really wonderful and it’s what drives me to deliver.

“I’m delighted that I’ve won the award but it really is a team effort. Without the work of the clinical and support staff we just wouldn’t be able to make this change.” 

Kate Wright, Executive Medical Director with Powys Teaching Health Board said: "Congratulations to Kara for this very well deserved recognition of her work in supporting these important pilot initiatives.  Introducing them into a community setting has been innovative and has the potential to transform the way the services are provided. Kara’s support, persistence and engagement has been a key driver to the project’s success." 

The awards were judged by a panel of experts and leaders including Professor Tom Crosby, Cancer Clinical Director for Wales; Cari-Anne Quinn, CEO of Life Sciences Hub Wales; Judith Paget CBE, Director General of Health & Social Services & Chief Executive of NHS Wales and Dr Heather Wilkes, GP & National Lead for Rapid Diagnosis Centres in Wales.

Host for the Cardiff ceremony was television presenter Sean Fletcher.