The award submission centres upon a project of how the HWA has helped reduce NHS waiting lists by empowering people to take control of their own health and relieving pressure on overstretched services.

In turn, this has made a real difference to patients waiting for treatment in areas such as cardiology and musculoskeletal services.

The Academy – part of the College of Human and Health Sciences - is the only service of its kind in Wales, with many of the services offered not being available on the NHS, or elsewhere in the region.

The innovative project was initiated in 2015 and has since grown in partnership with both AbertaweBro Morgannwg University Health Board (ABMU) and Hywel Dda University Health Board HDUHB, going on to treat 2,659 new patients – including 70 patients within the community who would otherwise be on NHS waiting lists.

Julia Pridmore, Director of the College of Human and Health Sciences, Health and Wellbeing Academy, said: “I am delighted that the Academy has been shortlisted. It is testament to the teamwork and dedication of all of our clinical academic staff and our partners, who have worked so hard to deliver truly innovative models of care that make a real difference to patients.”