Your chance to celebrate country’s health heroes
If there was ever a time to celebrate the work of the NHS and those working across health and social care, it’s 2020.
This is a year when our health and care services have gone to extraordinary lengths, working tirelessly and putting themselves at risk to carry us through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nation has collectively applauded our NHS and care workers but the Scottish Health Awards are another way to thank the individuals you believe deserve extra recognition.
This year the awards will have extra significance, giving patients, colleagues, family and friends the chance to show their appreciation by nominating their healing heroes.
The annual event — now in its 19th year — is run by the Daily Record in partnership with NHS Scotland and celebrates and recognises the work of some of the most dedicated staff in the country.
Nominations are now open and, because of the unprecedented events of this year, the winners will be named at a virtual event taking place on December 9.
Launching this year’s awards, Jeane Freeman, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, said: “Each year the Scottish Health Awards provides an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the work of those dedicated individuals and teams who deliver high quality health and care services to the people of Scotland.
“In the year of the 72nd anniversary of the NHS, and, in a year when our staff across health and social care have been rising so magnificently to the challenge of dealing with COVID-19, we can reflect on how far we have come.
“We have adapted and evolved to meet the changing needs and increasing demands on our services, whilst remaining absolutely committed to the founding principles of an NHS free at the point of delivery.
“Everyone across health and social care in Scotland has demonstrated their incredible resilience, compassion and skills in dealing with the pandemic — and they still do, day in and day out, often at personal cost.
“We continue to be able to make a difference to people’s lives thanks to our dedicated staff, working across the NHS, partners in health and social care, voluntary organisations and more.
“Every achievement and success over the past 72 years wouldn’t have happened without their hard work and commitment, and I’d like to thank them for the continued dedication.
“The Scottish Health Awards recognises both the outstanding contribution of frontline health and social care workers but also shines a light on those who work hard behind the scenes in support roles to ensure Scotland has the highest standard of health and care services,” added the Cabinet Secretary.
“Over many weeks, people across Scotland have shown their appreciation for our NHS and social care staff. The Scottish Health Awards provide another opportunity to do just that. Please take the time to nominate someone who deserves to be recognised across the 16 award categories for this year.”
We want to hear about the people who you believe have worked tirelessly and have gone above and beyond to provide the very best care for the people of Scotland in their greatest time of need.
This year, we want to take the opportunity to recognise the extraordinary work of NHS Scotland staff, social care staff and carers in responding to the coronavirus pandemic so we have introduced a special award — the People’s Choice Award!
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 September 30.
We’ll announce the finalists in the other categories on November 11 and all winners — including the winner of the People’s Choice Award — will be announced on December 9 at the virtual ceremony which can be viewed online.