the exceptional
achievements of unsung heroes
within health and social care
services in Scotland
People's Choice
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This year we introduced the People’s Choice Award to recognise the extraordinary work of NHS Scotland staff, social care staff and carers in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic.
We now have our 7 finalists and it’s over to you to vote for the winner of the People’s Choice Award 2020. The winner(s) will be announced during the virtual Scottish Health Awards ceremony on Wednesday 9 December.
Read through the amazing finalist stories below then select who you think should win the People’s Choice Award 2020. Voting closes 6 November, 5pm!
There is no limit on how many votes you can make.
Argyll & Bute Caring for People Team. NHS Highland
With 23 inhabited islands and 43 per cent of the population living in remote and rural areas, it can be difficult to make sure everyone in Argyll & Bute has access to health and community services – and even harder during lockdown.
A community response, which made sure more than 3,000 vulnerable people still had access to food, support, medicine, and other supplies, became vital.
The Argyll and Bute Caring for People partnership, made up of the local Public Health team, Argyll and Bute Council colleagues and the Third Sector Interface, was formed to coordinate this urgent community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This would normally take months to set up but the response from nearly 1,000 volunteers was so great, the Caring for People helpline and local Caring for People teams were up and running within 10 days.
The teams worked with local organisations and volunteers to arrange for food delivery of around 45,000 food parcels, other essential shopping supplies and medication delivery.
The helpline provides a friendly ear to more than 3,000 people.
Dr Pauline Grose, Consultant in Acute Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Pauline demonstrated incredible dedication and selflessness in setting up and leading a COVID-19 high dependency in Glasgow Royal Infirmary during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
When the scale of the anticipated challenges became apparent, she went from working part-time to working more than full time to lead the transformation of the coronary care unit.
During the first wave of COVID-19, Glasgow Royal Infirmary had the second-highest number of admissions with COVID-19 in Scotland. The high dependency unit that Pauline helped set up treated more patients with non- invasive ventilation than the rest of the country combined.
The outcomes for the patients in the unit were better than those expected according to national or international figures, and it seems likely that many people survived this terrible illness due directly to her selfless hard work, devotion to duty and leadership skills.
NHS Forth Valley Medical Physics Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital
During the initial months of the pandemic, it became apparent that patients with the virus receiving ventilation treatment often required renal care as well.
Renal care within ICU at Forth Valley Royal Hospital had previously been administered using the hospital’s mobile renal facilities, with only limited renal treatment capability.
The demands of COVID-19 made it necessary for the hospital to provide a fixed facility for renal treatments within its ICU to provide a longer term and enhanced renal care.
The medical physics team adapted existing medical equipment to provide continuing care for renal patients. They did this by installing an ultra-pure water supply that works in the same way as dialysis machines to provide renal blood replacement therapy, as the dialysis machines and their components were in short supply.
The team also converted anaesthetic machines normally used in operating theatres to ventilators so they could be used to help patients with COVID-19.
The medical physics department, headed up by Bryan Hynd, worked around the clock to make these complex changes in record time.
Point and Sandwick Trust Volunteers. NHS Western Isles
More than 40 local volunteers deliver a crucial befriending and meal delivery service to vulnerable people living in the remote villages on the Isle of Lewis.
Without their caring and hard work, many people in Point and Sandwick would have struggled to source food, eat a hot meal and fight loneliness because of lockdown.
Point and Sandwick Trust (PST) is a social enterprise and not-for-profit charity that operates a community wind farm to support initiatives across the Western Isles.
With a population of around 3,000, many in this remote area of Lewis are older and live alone.
By the end of September, 5110 freshly cooked meals prepared by a local chef and 3,373 emergency food parcels were delivered to people in 260 households.
Carol Scott, community healthcare support worker, Larkhall Health Institute. NHS Lanarkshire
Carol volunteered to support patients moving from acute care to an intermediate care facility until they were ready to go home.
Working 12-hour shifts despite caring for her mother, recently losing her father, and her partner being in recovery from cancer, Carol made sure patients were safe and well cared for.
Carol delivered excellent patient care during a difficult time, going above and beyond her given tasks.
She contracted COVID-19 and was extremely ill but kept in contact with colleagues through text and email despite being in isolation and unable to care for her mother. Once recovered, she went straight back to work.
Jade Scott, student nurse/healthcare assistant. NHS Forth Valley
When the pandemic broke out, Jade wanted to be of use in any way she could, as a carer and as a student nurse, to support her colleagues by ensuring good practice. But above all, she wanted to help and care for others.
Jade has given her all to help during the COVID-19 pandemic as a student nurse who stepped up to work full-time in a care home.
She was leading a dementia unit in a nursing home when the pandemic started and was prepared to move in if there was an outbreak.
During this time, Jade was also on a nursing placement in the intensive care unit of Forth Valley Royal as a second year student.
When placements were pulled, she was given the choice to opt in or out of helping the NHS, and opted in, working in a nursing home while also helping to care for her mother who has dementia.
Jade’s work throughout this difficult time has had a huge impact on her mother, her family, residents in her care, her patients while on placement, and colleagues whom she protected and helped get through the outbreak.
Dr Mun Woo, Associate Specialist, Renal Unit, Inverclyde Royal Hospital. NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Kidney doctor Mun Woo realised how vulnerable the 60 patients were who came to Inverclyde Royal Hospital’s renal unit for dialysis three times a week.
When there was a coronavirus outbreak among her patients, she led the way in rapidly setting up vital measures to limit the spread of the disease among patients and staff.
Mun, one of two doctors at the unit, worked far beyond her contracted hours to get the best results possible.
The speed with which these measures were introduced by Mun’s actions saved lives.
Once the worst of the Covid-19 crisis was over, Mun teamed up with ‘Art in Hospital’ to provide art classes for patients undergoing four-hour dialysis sessions.
Introduction
The Scottish Health Awards are the most prestigious and recognised awards for those working across NHS Scotland and its partners to deliver high quality health and social care services to the people of Scotland. Run by the Daily Record in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, the awards are now well established in the Scottish calendar and recognise those that go that extra mile to improve the health and wellbeing of others.
The awards reflect the amazing diversity of talent and showcase the dedication and commitment of those who work tirelessly on our behalf. NHS Scotland is committed to providing sustainable high quality health services for the people of Scotland. Increasingly, health and social care services are being delivered in an integrated way focusing on prevention, anticipation and supported self-management and the awards aim to recognise this approach.
In a year when staff across health and social care have been rising to the many challenges of dealing with Coronavirus (COVID-19), there’s never been a better time to recognise and reward them for what they have been doing day-in and day-out.
There are sixteen award categories including a People’s Choice Award which will be open to a public vote from 19 October. While we expect that COVID-19 will feature across the majority of the award categories this year, the People’s Choice Award will specifically recognise our individuals and teams who have responded so magnificently to the challenge of caring for people during the pandemic, while at the same time maintaining a range of essential services and continuing to provide essential care.
The People’s Choice Award will be put to a public vote after nominations close on 30 September and when our judging panel have selected the most inspiring nominations, you’ll be able to vote for your winner in this category.
We’ll announce the finalists in the remaining categories on 11 November and all winners – including the winner of the People’s Choice Award – will be announced on 9 December at the virtual ceremony which can be viewed online. We’ll announce details of how you can do this closer to the time.
The sixteen award categories are:
There are sixteen award categories:
• Support Worker Award
• Innovation Award
• Volunteers Award
• Midwife Award
• Allied Health Professional Award
• Young Achiever Award
• Unsung Hero Award
• Care for Mental Health Award
• Integrated Care Award
• Healthier Lifestyle Award
• Leader of the Year Award
• Nurse Award
• Doctor Award
• Top Team Award
• Global Citizenship Award
• People’s Choice Award
Virtual Awards Ceremony
Wednesday 9 December 2020
Award Categories
Roll of Honour
2019 Winners
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Support Worker Award
Sponsored by UNISON Scotland
Lauren Templeman, NHS Fife
Innovation Award
Sponsored by NHS Research Scotland and Scottish Health Innovations Ltd
The Intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT) Team, NHS Tayside
Volunteers Award
Anne Marie Kennedy MBE, East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership
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Midwife Award
Sponsored by The Royal College of Midwives
Ann Allan, NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Optometrist Award
Sponsored by Optometry Scotland
Dr Scott Mackie, NHS Lanarkshire
Therapist Award
Helen Scott, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
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Young Achiever Award
Harvé Symonds, NHS Orkney
Unsung Hero Award
Sponsored by GSK
Tony McLaren, NHS 24
Care for Mental Health Award
National Distress Brief Intervention Programme Team, NHS Lanarkshire
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Integrated Care Award
Sponsored by Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Care at Home Pharmacy Technician Service Team, NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Healthier Lifestyle Award
Sponsored by The Scottish Government
Wendy Handley, NHS Forth Valley
Leader of the Year Award
Sponsored by NHS Education for Scotland
Dr Erica Peters, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
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Dentist Award
Jordan Bain, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Nurse Award
Sponsored by UNISON NHS Glasgow Clyde & CVS
Alison Irvine, NHS Shetland
Doctor Award
Sponsored by BMA
Dr Howard Kennedy, NHS Borders
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Top Team Award
Sponsored by UNISON Lothian
Theatre Reception Team, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Global Citizenship Award
Julius Kofi Serebour Donkor, NHS Grampian
Host
Having presented the very funny and eventful MacAulay and Co. on BBC Radio Scotland for almost 18 years and with a string of TV appearances, Fred’s on air witticisms and on screen reputation are the product of years of experience on the live circuit, including a stint as the first ever-Scottish compere at the Comedy Store in London.
Arriving late to the world of stand-up comedy in the early 90’s, he has gone on to be a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe (this will be his 29th) and at comedy festivals worldwide. Appearances on many Radio 4 comedy panel shows including I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Just A Minute, The Unbelievable Truth and The News Quiz guarantee an audience for Fred’s Live stand-up tours.
How It Works
Nomination Process
Anyone can make a nomination for the Scottish Health Awards and we particularly welcome nominations from the general public who wish to nominate and recognise the contribution and achievements of:
- individuals, groups and teams delivering NHS or integrated health and social care services within an NHS, Health and Social Care Partnerships or a Local Authority environment; and
- individuals, groups and teams from partner organisations, charities or external organisations who provide health and social care services.
An individual, a group or a team can be nominated for a maximum of two award categories as long as each nomination satisfies the specific award criteria in each. The event organisers reserve the right to reassign nominations to a category that they believe most suited to the nomination.
Please note that individuals cannot nominate themselves but a nomination for a group or a team from an individual within that team will be accepted.
When making a nomination, please ensure that the person or people you are nominating are aware of your nomination and have agreed to you providing information about their work as well as their contact details. This is because the information you provide in the nomination form may be used as a basis for a written feature within Reach plc newspapers without Reach plc making contact with the person nominated to gain their consent. On that basis, we cannot accept nominations where the person being nominated hasn’t given agreement for you to share information about their work.
Your nomination should contain the following information:
- Why you want to nominate this individual/team?
- What were they trying to achieve?
- What did they do?
- What happened as a result?
Nominations can be made for individuals, groups or teams working in an NHS environment, Health and Social Care Partnerships or in a Local Authority environment delivering integrated health and social care services. Some award categories are open to partner organisations and to individuals from external organisations. Please read the award category descriptors carefully to decide the category most appropriate for the person or people you wish to nominate.
Nominations open on Thursday 9 July and close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday 30 September. Nominations received after this time will not be accepted.
Profiles and photographs of the winners will be published on the Scottish Health Awards website.
The winners of the Scottish Health Awards will be announced at the virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday 9 December 2020.
Judging Process
All completed nomination forms will be reviewed by a shortlisting panel who will select the top six scoring nominations in each award category to proceed to the next stage.
Shortlisted nominations will be reviewed by a judging panel which comprises a number of senior NHS Scotland and Health and Social Care Integration representatives, Scottish Government Health and Social Care Policy Officials and a representative from the Daily Record.
Each judge scores the shortlisted nominations separately and then the judging panel comes together to agree the three finalists (which will comprise the winner and two runners up) from each award category.
Where there is a tie break, the Chair of the Judging panel will have the casting vote.
All three finalists will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony.
This year we also have a new People’s Choice category which marks the extraordinary circumstances in 2020 and which you, the public, will have the chance to vote for. Voting for this award will open Monday 19 October.
We will make contact with all of the people who have got through the first stage of the judging process (shortlisted nominations). At that point, we will be seeking agreement that, should they be successful in getting through to the Finalist stage, we have their permission to publish their name in the newspaper.
The public will have the chance to vote for the winner of the new People’s Choice category which recognises the individuals and teams who have responded to the challenge of caring for people during the pandemic. Voting for this award will open Monday 19 October. All other Awards finalists will be announced 11 November 2020.
Award winners will be announced at the Scottish Health Awards Virtual Ceremony on Wednesday 9 December 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
A person can be nominated for up to two category awards as long as each nomination satisfies the specific award criteria in that category. The event organisers reserve the right to reassign nominations to a category they believe is most suited to the nomination.
The judges’ decision will be based on the content of the nomination and what the person or team has done rather than the number of nominations that person or team has received. Multiple nominations do not carry any more weight and will not contribute to the judging outcome.
We may need to contact you and the person you are nominating to seek further information in order to progress your entry. Please provide accurate email addresses and mobile telephone numbers for this purpose and respond as quickly as you can if contacted.
We will make contact with all of the people nominated who have got through the first stage of the judging process. At that point, we will be seeking their agreement that, should they be successful in getting through to the Finalist stage, they give their permission for their name to be published in the newspaper.
Sponsorship
There are various sponsorship opportunities available.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities please contact Aileen Turnbull on 07825 899 187 or at aileen.turnbull@reachplc.com
