Unsung health heroes honoured at awards

Perth Royal Infirmary staff members have been rewarded at the NHS Tayside’s Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Awards’ virtual ceremony.

Due to take place at the Apex Hotel in Dundee on Friday, May 29 the awards ceremony was postponed because of the COVID pandemic.

The decision was made to move this year’s ceremony virtually and three staff members from the Fair City facility have been rewarded for their outstanding service over the past year.

Ward three healthcare assistant Mark Mitchell received a silver award in the young achiever category.

Gynaecology healthcare assistant Yvonne Merchant received a silver award in the unsung hero category.

And community nurse Roberto Cassani was awarded bronze also in the unsung hero category.

The awards have been running for four years and offer staff and the public a chance to nominate an individual, service or team in one of six categories for delivering outstanding patient care or going the extra mile in their job.

NHS Tayside chief executive Grant Archibald said: “It’s been an extraordinary year and I would like to thank all of our staff for the outstanding job they have done throughout the current year.

“We were keen to mark this year’s STAR Awards, despite our ceremony in May being cancelled.

“We hope our staff enjoy our virtual ceremony, and we hope to celebrate with all of our finalists very soon.”

Chair of the Tayside NHS board Lorna Birse-Stewart said: “We were absolutely delighted with the number of nominations we received at the start of the year and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate someone.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists, you are a shining example of the work that goes on at NHS Tayside and I applaud each and every one of you.”