Minister sees how Welsh poetry is helping NHS patients on its 70th Birthday

The Minister met staff and patients who are taking part in the Cerddi Byw Nawr project, which is run in conjunction with Literature Wales. The project was overseen by former Chair, Crown and Prose medal winning poet and teacher Mererid Hopwood who has recently undertaken a residency at the palliative care unit of the hospital.

The project encouraged patients, their families and staff to express their thoughts and feelings centred on the themes of life and death in both Welsh and English and has resulted in the development of a digital book entitled “Cerddi Byw Nawr / Live Now Poems”.

The minister met patients and staff at the hospital to learn more about how the project is helping patients and their families come to terms with their terminal illnesses and comforting them during a difficult time.

The minister said;

“It was a pleasure to join staff, patients and their families to celebrate the NHS’s70th Birthday and to find out more about Cerddi Byw Nawr. The project is an excellent example of the role literature, particularly in a person’s mother tongue, can provide comfort and allow people to express themselves at a difficult time.

“It is also testament to how the NHS and its staff go the extra mile, not only to ensure patients’ physical and health needs are met but to ensure their and their families’ emotional and mental wellbeing is addressed. All over Britain The NHS is full of  people who demonstrate considerable dedication and commitment to their jobs and  incredible care and humanity to their patients and I thank them for all they do.”