NHS Forth Valley had an amazing night at the recent 2016 Scottish Health Awards, producing no less than four winners.
SHARON COGGINS, an additional support midwife practitioner at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, took home the MIDWIFE AWARD. Sharon supports families with a range of social, medical and/or mental health problems, including substance misuse and domestic violence. She goes above and beyond, often working in her own time and using her extensive networks to source clothing and other items for newborn babies including prams and bags full of clothes!
FIONA DONNELLY and the primary care team at HMP Glenochil received the INTEGRATED CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE AWARD for their work to meet the changing needs of the prison population which is now made up of many older, physically frailer men. They have worked with Scottish Prison Service colleagues to redesign a number of cells to allow prisoners to use hospital beds, hoists and wheelchairs and undertake joint training to ensure continuity of care. They have also forged close links with the NHS Forth Valley Palliative Care Team and Macmillan Cancer Care to provide end of life care.
The mental health nurses at Kersiebank and Bannockburn GP practices JANICE BIRD, STACEY McINTOSH, JANE WHITFIELD, JANE YULE were named as the winners of the CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARD. The nurses have set up a unique mental health service, believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland, providing triage and face-to face appointments for patients with mild to moderate mental health problems. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team and their appointment has eased pressure on local GPs as a significant proportion of repeat visits to surgeries are linked to mental health issues such as stress and depression. The nurses provide advice on how to improve physical and mental health, can review and prescribe medication, and offer psychological support.
CHARLOTTE RITSON, a former student nurse from the University of Stirling, won the YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD due to her inspiring leadership and determination to improve healthcare practice. Charlotte is passionate about her profession and as a final year nursing student she led a successful campaign for the provision of free flu vaccines for all student nurses, midwives and allied health students in Scotland. During a placement with NHS Forth Valley Charlotte also contributed to new clinical guidelines for NHS Forth Valley on the prevention and management of skin tears.
NHS Forth Valley Chief Executive Jane Grant said: “I am delighted that the work of our staff has been recognised with these prestigious national awards. Their hard work, dedication and commitment has significantly improved local health services and made a real difference to patients. I would also like to congratulate all six finalists from the Forth Valley area who fought off stiff competition from across Scotland to make it to the finals.”
To view the full list of winners visit www.scottishhealthawards.com
