Arran’s health workers bidding for top awards
Two healthcare workers at Arran War Memorial Hospital in Lamlash have been shortlisted for awards by two different organisations.
Community midwife Elaine Kelso has been shortlisted for the prestigious midwife award at the Scottish Health Awards, while Yvonne Welch, a healthcare assistant at the hospital, has been chosen as a regional winner for clinical support worker of the year at the Skills for Health’s Our Health Heroes Awards.
Elaine was named as a finalist for commitment and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to support not only the families she works with, but the wider midwife team and the hospital community on Arran.
Yvonne was nominated after working at the hospital for more than 17 years where she was described by colleagues as their ‘backbone’ and having a relentless can-do attitude.
She was also the first person in the hospital to complete the British casting course.
John Burns, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: ‘We are extremely lucky to have such dedicated and caring staff. Their drive, determination and commitment to patient care is an example of all our staff’s dedication to enhancing services for our patients. I wish them the best of luck at the awards ceremony.’
The nominees fought off stiff competition to secure their place at this year’s glittering awards ceremony to be held on Thursday November 2, at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.
Votes for the regional winner Yvonne, in Our Health Heroes Awards, can now be submitted for the national award at www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/ohh-2017 which will be open until Monday November 6.
Speaking of the nominations, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: ‘Every day behind the scenes in the NHS, there are entire teams of healthcare support staff going above and beyond to ensure that patients are getting the best possible care, despite the many constraints they are forced to operate under.
‘The quality of the nominations received and the deserving regional winners announced are a true tribute to the wider NHS, which often goes unnoticed. Health workers work as a team to deliver the best care, and they need to be recognised, valued and rewarded as just that.’