Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) nursing staff were honoured at the first Royal College of Nursing in Scotland (RCN) Nurse of the Year Awards held on 21 June.

The Awards are designed to recognise, highlight and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nursing staff across Scotland.

Winner of the Nursing Team of the Year Awards was our HSCP’s Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (ADRS) Crisis Outreach Service, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Established in 2021, the ADRS Crisis Outreach Service in Glasgow aims to reduce the increasing number of nonfatal overdoses and drug-related deaths.

With 12 nursing staff from across Addiction, Mental Health and Acute Adult nursing, the team delivers a committed and understanding service for its patients. Tackling health inequalities, financial deprivation and stigmatisation, the team has developed a creative approach to engage this vulnerable and high-risk population through a focussed outreach approach across Glasgow city centre and its localities. 

In addition to supporting patients the team have provided practical and educational input with families, carers and a wide variety of support service staff to raise awareness and highlight the impact of alcohol and substance use on a person’s physical health, mental health and wider social networks. 

These interventions include training on recognising and managing a drug overdose, provision of naloxone including training on its use and access to recovery or support services across the city. The team’s inclusive approach has opened up opportunities to link in with a range of services to engage persons known and unknown to treatment services who have been identified as high risk or in alcohol or substance use crisis.

Tracy Stafford, our HSCP’s ADRS Professional Nurse Lead said: “I’m extremely proud of all my nursing colleagues and so pleased to acknowledge and celebrate both of our nominations for this nursing award. Both nominations clearly demonstrate the diverse role of the addiction nurse, how they support individuals during their own very personal recovery journey and how they address and challenge the stigma associated with alcohol and substance use difficulties across a range of opportunities.”

Susanne Millar, our HSCP’s Chief Officer said: “I’m thrilled to say that the winner of the RCN Scotland ‘Nursing Team of the Year’ was awarded to our Crisis Outreach Service, ADRS.  The ADRS Crisis Outreach Service aims to reduce rising numbers of nonfatal overdose and drug related deaths. The nursing team are worthy winners of this award, creatively engaging the vulnerable, high risk and often hard to reach population, working with people and their families providing practical input to address health inequalities. The team exemplifies the power of adopting inclusive, caring and compassionate approaches to nursing care in reaching and supporting citizens regarded as high risk. This award is truly deserved. 

“Congratulations to all our nursing staff nominees and to all our worthy winners who have done themselves and all of us in Glasgow City HSCP proud showcasing their talents, dedication and commitment.”

One of three finalists in the category ‘Mental Health Nurse of the Year’ was Linda Doonan, previously the Nurse Team Leader, Primary Care Alcohol Nurse Outreach Service (PCANOS), Glasgow City ADRS, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Described by colleagues as a shining example of mental health nursing, Linda led the Glasgow-based Primary Care Alcohol Nurse Outreach Service before recently retiring after 40 years of service. 
With determination, tenacity and a unique way of engaging with patients and staff, Linda ensured that the team addressed the gap in patients being able to access specialist services. Her team provides a triage service for people referred by GPs and ensured they were enabled to access the most appropriate services. Linda designed and role modelled an assertive outreach approach to person-centred care in patients’ homes. 

Her nomination highlighted the challenges met head-on during the COVID-19 pandemic with reduced access to patient homes and clinical areas. 

Linda is proud that the results speak for themselves, with a 79% reduction in GP contact and a 32% reduction in admission to hospitals. She’s clear that nursing has more to offer patients than traditional roles and that nursing staff can contribute greatly to the reduction in health inequalities of an often stigmatised group. Even after retirement, Linda continues to influence the future of nursing by continuing to train and develop staff.

If anyone is interested in a nursing role within ADRS, please contact Tracy.Stafford@ggc.scot.nhs.uk