Five of our HSCP’s mental health and alcohol and drug recovery service colleagues were celebrated at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards 2024. The Awards took place on Thursday, 23 May, and recognised outstanding contributions to nursing. 

Professor Angela Wallace, Board Nurse Director, was also present on the night, supporting and cheering staff on, joining in the celebrations, and proudly offering her own: “Congratulations and so well deserved”, on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

Our very worthy finalists and winners were:

• (NHSGGC) Police Custody Healthcare Team were named Nursing Team of the Year. The team works as part of a collaborative effort between Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and Police Scotland.

This award recognises that great nursing is often delivered in teams and in close partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues – or even patients or stakeholders.

Led by their Interim Senior Charge Nurse Michelle Hagan, the team’s primary focus is identifying individuals in mental health distress, diverting them away from the criminal justice system into mental health settings, reducing health inequalities, and promoting health improvement. 

Commending the team for their work to tackle health inequalities, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Executive Director said: “Across health and social care, nursing teams are working collaboratively to deliver innovation, service improvements and high-quality care. The police custody team is a prime example of great nursing being delivered by a professional and committed team and in close partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues. The team’s significant nursing contribution continues to positively impact the patient care of an often stigmatised group.”

Another success for the HSCP was:

• John McDonald, Senior Addiction Nurse in our HSCP’s  North East Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service, who won the RCN Scotland Adult Nursing award. This award aims to recognise those who have succeeded in raising standards of care for their patients and service users and have made an outstanding contribution to the care of adults. 

John won the Award for his significant contribution to improving and expanding services, particularly in alcohol and opiate replacement treatments. By advocating for informed decision-making, John has empowered clients to pursue personal growth and development, leading to tangible benefits such as increased employment, education, and community integration.

Congratulations also to runners up which included HSCP managed services:

• The West of Scotland Mother and Baby Unit based at Leverndale Hospital were runners-up in the ‘Children’s Nursing and Midwifery’ award category.
• Shona Malone, Interim Operational Manager, Prison Health Care, HMP Low Moss was runner-up in the ‘Clinical Leadership’ award category for her excellent work promoting and leading mental health care in this unique setting.
• Pauline Zvimba, Senior Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Auchinlea Community Mental Health team, was highly-commended in the ‘Mental Health Nursing’ category for her excellent work delivering a whole range of mental health care to patients in this part of Glasgow.

Both Julia Egan, Chief Nurse, and Lorraine Cribben, Chief Nurse – Adult Services  Glasgow City HSCP said: “Congratulations to all our staff. We thank them and all our amazing nurses for their dedication and care for our patients.”

You can read more on the RCN website