THE 24 finalists in this year's NHS Ayrshire Achieves Awards have now been revealed.
The awards gave local people – and other NHS staff - the chance to recognise the contribution of health workers and volunteers who had gone the extra mile.
A judging panel made up of staff, senior managers, sponsors and representatives from trades unions selected the 24 finalists and overall winners in each category.
Claire Burden, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “On behalf of the organisation, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate their health hero for an award, and congratulate all those members of staff and volunteers who were nominated.
“Every day we hear of examples of our dedicated staff going the extra mile. They don’t do this in anticipation of awards, but because they are committed to providing safe, high quality care. Congratulations to the finalists and I wish you the best of luck.”
“Ayrshire Achieves is our chance to celebrate all that is great about health and social care in Ayrshire and Arran. This year is also the 75th anniversary of the NHS, and so this event is an opportunity to reflect on how things have changed and improved over the years.”
The 24 finalists come from a wide range of disciplines – from nursing staff and clinicians to volunteers and allied health professions.
There are seven award categories and the finalists are:
Behind the scenes, sponsored by Unison
Jennifer Reid, Vaccination Programme Manager
Dr Krishna Prasad, Consultant
Thom Williamson, Largs Community Response Team
Linda Muir and the Home Life Team
Caring for each other, sponsored by Unite
John Somerville, Lead Nurse – Occupational Health
Racecourse Road Intermediate Care Unit
Sharon Deans, Senior Charge Nurse
Caring for people, sponsored by Unison
Elaine Swan, Ann Brooker and the Children’s Diabetic Team
Community Pharmacy Network
Margaret McLean, Practice Education Facilitator
Home Birth Team
Collaboration and working together, sponsored by NHS Staff Benefits
Extended Face-fit Testing Team
Burnock Nurse-led Model
Working Together - Occupational Therapists in GP surgeries
Making a difference with digital, sponsored by Royal College of Nursing
Digital Champions Network
Lillian White, Specialist Nurse Urology Cancer
Sam Falconer, Ogg’s Pharmacy, Ayr
Shining star, sponsored by Unison
Bianca Ballingall, Speech and Language Therapist
Dr Sufiya Ahmed, Clinical Development Fellow
Laura Doherty, Public Health Project Manager for Infants, Children and Young People
Dr Kati Carroll, Acute Medical Consultant
Thinking out of the box, sponsored by Unison
Siobhan Reid, Midwife
Dr Sufiya Ahmed, Clinical Development Fellow
Occupational Therapists in GP surgeries
The winners of Ayrshire Achieves 2023 will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 1 at University Hospital Ayr.
Lesley Bowie, chairperson of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, will also present the chairperson’s award to an individual or team who he feels deserves special recognition for the work that they do.
Ms Burden added: “This year, we will be live-streaming the event on YouTube, and will be sharing live updates on Instagram. So, make sure you tune in and support your health hero.”
Ayrshire Achieves is supported by NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Area Partnership Forum, and sponsored by West FM and West Sound, NHS Staff Benefits, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Unison and Unite.
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