THIS evening key landmarks and hospital sites across Cardiff and the Vale will be illuminated in orange to celebrate World Patient Safety Day, standing as a reminder to the public of their role in keeping people safe.

By following coronavirus guidance – maintaining physical distancing and practicing good hygiene measures, the health board says the public have a vital role to play in protecting healthcare workers that will in turn protect vital services.

The global pandemic has presented health services with major challenges and put healthcare workers at significant risk.

Ruth Walker, Executive Nurse Director at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “We are tremendously proud of the continued dedication, perseverance and hard work displayed by healthcare workers, local authorities and third sector partners – enabling us to continue to increase access to high quality patient care. We have a proud record and put safety and quality of the centre of everything we do.

"World Patient Safety Day serves as a reminder that this is not a time to be complacent; we need to continue to protect healthcare workers who are absolutely critical to the running of our services. A notable rise in COVID-19 hospital admissions would put our services at substantial risk.”

The aim of World Patient Safety Day is to increase staff and public awareness of measures that can be, and are being taken in the interest of staff and patient safety.

In order to protect healthcare workers and healthcare services, Public Health Wales are asking the public to follow the simple guidance below:

  • - Wash hands regularly
  • - Keep a 2 metre distance from others wherever possible
  • - Where a face covering where required

At dusk, sites including City Hall and St David’s Hall in Cardiff, the tunnel between Broad St and Hood Rd in Barry, and the Memo Arts Centre in Barry, will be illuminated in orange for World Patient Safety Day.

Areas of University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital of Llandough will also be illuminated.