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.