Two Powys Teaching Health Board nurses have scooped awards at the Royal College of Nursing Nurse of the Year awards.

Ann Bamsey and Susan Grounds, both health visitors and also part of the Flying Start scheme, won the Community Nursing Award at the ceremony held in Cardiff.

They were nominated for their work developing swimming sessions for babies and their parents. Ann and Susan set up “Splash a Spri” (formerly known as Little Dippers) in Ystradgynlais when they recognised a need to support parent-infant relationships in the community.

Splash a Spri promotes health and wellbeing for babies and their parents, as well as helping to develop confidence and safety in water from a very early age. Research shows that classes such as these also help babies to develop mobility, coordination, cognitive awareness and speech and language skills.

Sharon Fernandez, health visitor lead, said: “For many parents, bringing their babies into the pool, playing games, singing to their child and submerging under water is a huge accomplishment. Taking a baby into the water can help develop greater closeness and trust as well as self motivation and reliance than activities on dry land.

"There is often a misconception that babies can not be taken into the water before they are vaccinated. This is not true as swimming pools are chlorinated which gives all the protection a newborn needs.

"This award recognises one of the innovative and creative ways of working that our staff are using to support people living in Powys. Congratulations to them both."