The competition is hotting up to name Ayrshire’s health heroes. This year’s Ayrshire Achieves 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 18 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. We had a record number of nominations this year, which I think shows how highly our health and care staff are appreciated.
“I want to congratulate the individuals and teams 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.
“Ayrshire Achieves is our chance to celebrate all that is great about health and social care in Ayrshire and Arran. And so, I would like to congratulate all the finalists, and with them the best of luck.”
The 18 finalists come from a wide range of disciplines – from portering and library staff, to nurses and allied health professions.
There are six award categories and the finalists are:
- Behind the scenes, sponsored by Unison
- Organisational Knowledge Services – Library, University Hospital Crosshouse
- George Higgins, Porter
- East Ayrshire Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
- Care and compassion, sponsored by Unite
- Victoria Maxwell, Paediatric Bereavement Liaison Nurse
- Isabel Wilson, Staff Nurse
- Tara Drysdale, North Ayrshire Council Alert Team
- Collaboration and working together, sponsored by NHS Credit Union
- Wendy Carswell, Physiotherapy Assistant Practitioner
- Susan Thomson, Community Hospital Transfer Co-ordinator
- Community Mental Health Team – Pharmacy Team
- Making a difference with digital, sponsored by NHS Credit Union
- ReSPECT Team
- Pharmacy Digital and Electronic Prescribing Team
- Melissa Milliken, Team Manager
- Shining stars, sponsored by Unite
- Lynsey Small, Paediatric Respiratory Nurse, and the Special Care Baby Unit
- Breast Clinic one stop shop
- Julie Barrie, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
- Thinking outside the box, sponsored by Unison
- Ayrshire Fertility Unit (AFU)
- Resuscitation Team
- Gynaecology Team, Heathfield Suite, University Hospital Ayr
The winners of Ayrshire Achieves 2024 will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 6 June 2024 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.
Claire Burden adds: “Once again, 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 Credit Union, Unison and Unite.