The dedication and commitment of ambulance staff in the north of Scotland has been recognised in a special awards ceremony held by the Scottish Ambulance Service in Aberdeen.
This year’s winners are from a wide range of different roles across the Service, all of which play an essential part in delivering vital patient services.
Inverness based Service Improvement Manager, Susan Owen won the Staff Member of the Year award in recognition for her work supporting the Scheduled Care team and the transformation of the new Patient Transport Service. Colleagues nominated her for the continued motivational and emotional support that she provides as a team leader and her dedication to patient care. Sue played a pivotal role in creating the direct patient booking line last year. Her co-workers said, “Sue is a sunny soul with a can do attitude and she is a pleasure to work with.”
The Chief Executive’s Special Award was given to Henry Cassie, a team leader with the Patient Transport Service. Henry is seen by his colleagues as someone who always puts his patients and staff first. He has played an important role at the Rock Ness festival since it started, ensuring that patients are cared for quickly and professionally. Henry also assists at Safe Highlander, an event that delivers basic life support to primary school children in Lochaber. He is also a member of the Inverness Special Operations Response Team, making himself available 24/7 if required.
The staff at Stonehaven ambulance station won the Team of the Year after being nominated by the volunteer first responder group that also operates from the station. Staff at the station were recognised for the ongoing clinical and emotional support that they provide to the first responders and the professionalism and care that they demonstrate day in, day out.
The Working Together for Better Patient Care award was presented to the Grampian Adult Protection Team in recognition of its work in raising awareness of the difficult situations that vulnerable people can find themselves in, often leading to harm and discrimination. The team includes members of the SAS, NHS Grampian, Police Scotland and the Local Authorities. The team has worked together to pool resources and share best practice, resulting in an increase in referrals across the region.
Linda Diack, a vehicle washer at Aberdeen ambulance station, won the Scottish Ambulance Service Values Award. Linda is often commended for high standards of infection control and vehicle cleaning. She is always on station long before the start of her shift and only leaves when everything is clean and restocked. Her colleagues describe her as always being positive happy and helpful, with a high standard of professionalism and dedication to patient care.
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive, Scottish Ambulance Service, said:
“Now in its third year, our awards programme recognises the professionalism and commitment of our staff, many of whom go beyond the normal call of duty. All of the entrants have been nominated by their peers, who value the dedication and commitment to patient care that they display on a daily basis. Our staff are very modest about the incredible care that they provide for patients and this event is a reminder of the difference that they make to patients’ lives. They are an absolute credit to the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Scotland.