Local Staff Awards 2025

Overall Winner – Dr Gautam Ray, Consultant Physician, Acute Medicine, RAH

Gautam was instrumental in setting up the Quality Improvement Den at the RAH in 2018. This opportunity has now been expanded to support colleagues across the Clyde sector.

The Den provides assistance and guidance for colleagues to pursue QI projects across a wide range of services, resulting in a skilled workforce and valuable improvements to patient care.

Cohort 7 is now underway, and over the years since the Den commenced, in excess of 127 colleagues have participated in it, delivering a broad range of improvement projects and encouraging a culture of continuous improvement across Clyde sector.

Overall Winner – North Frailty Team

The North Frailty Team is a multidisciplinary group dedicated to improving care for older adults with frailty. Working alongside ED and AAU, they streamline patients to a specialist unit for timely Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGA). Their innovative pathway has reduced the median length of stay from 16 to 11 days without increasing readmission rates. They introduced a CGA Huddle, integrating community teams to support early discharge.

Their commitment to person-centered care, collaboration, and overcoming resistance to change has enhanced hospital flow and patient outcomes. Patient feedback highlights their compassionate and high-quality approach, demonstrating that getting care right for older adults benefits everyone. Their dedication and teamwork make them truly deserving of this award.

Overall Winner – Surgical Immediate Assessment Unit (IAU) , QEUH

The department is staffed by a combination of Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs), Band 5 nurses, and Surgical Nurse Practitioners, with additional support from Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) and medical staff. This team works tirelessly to assess and implement the care needs of patients referred for surgical assessment by their GPs. They typically see a range of 730 to 750 patients per month and successfully discharge nearly half of them within four hours. Most discharges from the department occur between four and eight hours after arrival.

The team also runs Hot Clinics to ensure that patients do not remain in the hospital longer than necessary. If further tests are required, they arrange for patients to return for those procedures.

This exceptionally hardworking team deserves recognition for their contributions to unscheduled care.

Patient experience is significantly improved as most patients are seen within the four-hour target. Additionally, discharging patients to Hot Clinic slots reduces unnecessary waiting times for tests in an already busy department. This ensures that results can be discussed quickly after testing, allowing for effective further care planning.

The team is focused and driven, placing patients’ safety and well-being as their top priority.

Overall Winner – Toxicology & Theraputic Drug Monitoring Service

Scottish drug-related deaths statistics show that drug misuse continues to be a significant problem. This has a direct impact on healthcare, including patients seeking help for drug use in primary care and hospital admissions across NHSGGC.

The Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership approached the QEUH Toxicology Team to discuss modernising drug screening; specifically, requesting an ability to detect a wider range of drugs.

As no commercial test kit was available to cover the range of drugs required, the Toxicology team developed a novel drug screen designed for local service users’ needs which was instrumental in the fight against drug-related deaths.  Their innovation was a direct result of their ability to harness their collective brain power, knowledge, skills and experience to produce a transformative solution that benefited patients. The epitome of teamwork!

To date, over 14,000 patient samples have been screened using this test. A recent survey showed that service users agree that the extended screen they have developed has significantly improved patient management and had a positive impact on the population.

Overall Winner – Community Treatment and Care Service (CTAC) Team

Community Treatment and Care Service (CTAC) Team 

The CTAC Team have been fundamental in the roll out of the programme for self-administration of B12 injections and have taught around 160 patients to take ownership of their long term condition. These patients have found that they have more independence and can receive their medication at a time that is more appropriate for them or they can have a friend or family member administer it (This person has been taught by CTAC staff). The aim of this innovation is to encourage patients to take over this aspect of their care and using values based conversations have given the patients independence and flexibility. These appointments will now be absorbed by the service and realigned to patients for other interventions or for those who are unable to self-administer. 

Overall Winner – Clair Blair

Claire is the ultimate champion for highlighting, advocating and supporting the health and wellbeing of the entire health and social care workforce.

Her kind, person-centred and empathetic personality helps bring people together. Claire has supported many colleagues through difficult times by being a listening ear, and sharing wisdom.

She also work in partnership with a number of organisations to support the delivery of wellbeing supports.

All of the judges were impressed by Claire’s ability to lead by example. She prioritises her own health and wellbeing, remaining resilient and positive, practices self-care, and makes use of wellbeing activities and resources.

Overall Winner – eHealth and Clinical Teams involved in Ophthalmology Digital Patient Record

Commissioned by Scottish Government and in collaboration with clinical representatives from all Health Boards, eHealth National and Contractor Services, Information Management, Electronic Patient Record and Health Records teams worked together to develop and successfully implement the Ophthalmology Digital Patient Record and system.

This has been implemented across all NHSGGC Ophthalmology sites to connect primary and secondary eye care and enable transfer of patients between health boards. With the introduction of OpenEyes to NES Glaucoma Accredited Trained Community Optometrists, 749 patients have had their follow up care transferred to an Optometrist Practice near to their home.

Overall Winner – Fiona Warnock-Greer

Fiona Warnock Greer, a Senior Project Manager within the Capital Planning team, has exemplified outstanding leadership through her management of the Parkhead Hub project, the largest primary care facility in the UK. Fiona’s dedication and teamwork have been instrumental in ensuring the project’s success, collaborating closely with diverse stakeholders, including HSCP, clinical areas, estates, facilities, design teams, contractors, and NHS Assure. Her leadership was particularly evident during the commissioning of the water system, where she established a short-life working group to ensure the highest standards were met. Fiona’s ability to navigate complex challenges, maintain clear communication, and foster a collaborative environment has been crucial in delivering a safe and functional facility.

Her proactive approach and commitment to excellence have earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues. Fiona’s leadership has not only ensured the successful completion of the Parkhead Hub but also set a benchmark for future projects within the organisation.

Overall Joint Winners – The Payroll Team and SSTS

Payroll Team

Working above capacity to sustain services while delivering key additional activities, including multiple retrospective pay awards, new pension regulations, increased pension applications, partial retirement provisions, system updates, and controls from the Reduced Working Week.

SSTS

Ensuring no impacts on SSTS service provision, including increased activity from Reduced Working Week updates, while integrating the new eRostering system to normal business. This includes supporting early adopters, initial rollout and support at the IRH site, piloting medics at QEUH ED, and supporting the HIS pilot of Safe Care for Adult Mental Health Inpatient areas.

Overall Winner – The Thistle Project Team

The Thistle Project Team has been recognised with Innovation of the Year for its groundbreaking role delivering the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility. Led by Glasgow City HSCP, this project brought together a range of partners, including Glasgow City Council, City Building, NHSGGC, and several others, to create a service that addresses complex health and social challenges.

The Thistle is a unique service, the implementation of which required innovative solutions to many service requirements never previously encountered within UK health environments. Through extensive consultations with Lived Experience Reference Groups and the surrounding community, the team ensured the facility was tailored to meet the unique needs of users, with the potential to significantly reduce harm and influence future legislation.

Overall Winner – Mark Allen

Mark provides a fantastic administrative service to the Staff Governance Committee, Remuneration Committee and Workforce Equality Group. 

Mark frequently supports other key initiatives within Staff Experience or across the broader HR Team, such as the EDI learning event or support for the Public Enquiry. In 2024, with the Head of HR Corporate leaving, Mark had to step in to lead much of the work around Remuneration Committee.

Overall Winner – Gayle McQueen (Wellbeing Coordinator, Inverclyde Homelessness Centre)

Gayle’s approach to recruitment ensured a team of dedicated individuals were introduced to the service to deliver support of varying intensities to meet the needs of each resident both in the Inverclyde Centre and in Temporary Furnished Flats in the community.

Gayle furnished a large communal lounge and a smaller lounge for outreach work, tirelessly engaged with third sector organisations and community assets to ensure residents received the care and attention of local dentists, opticians and student hairdressers who provided valuable services to make residents feel good about themselves.

She ensured they were trained in food hygiene to facilitate a brunch club  three times a week providing wholesome and nutritious food to people who were hungry, and mentored residents in cooking and basic hygiene skills.

Overall Winner – Primary Care Practice Educators

This programme, developed in 2023, was led by Tamara Cairney and delivered by dedicated Practice Educators across the HSCP teams. Over 2024, 53 pharmacists have been supported through the 12-week intensive period of supervision programme, beginning with a comprehensive Learning Needs Analysis.

This is aimed at developing pharmacists’ skills and confidence to manage increasingly complex patient care. This approach fosters the development of competence and autonomy, enhancing clinical decision-making capabilities. The program is designed to promote holistic professional growth by integrating reflective practice, patient feedback, and realistic clinical conversations. Pharmacists also have access to valuable well-being resources and are actively encouraged to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, further enriching their learning experience.

Overall Winner – Brian Laidlaw

Brian has demonstrated consistently his passion, commitment, and dedication to NHSGGC Hospital Support & Information Services (SIS) over the past 12 years. Recruited in April 2012, Brian has been a steadfast supporter of SIS frontline patient services, contributing weekly. His friendly, empathetic, and compassionate approach helps create a safe space for patients, carers, and families.

Brian balances the demands of healthcare volunteering with being a full-time carer for his wife. He is an integral part of the team, providing invaluable support to SIS workers and ensuring comprehensive care for patients and carers. NHSGGC SIS is proud to have him on their team.

Overall Winner – Magic Leap

This year’s Innovation prize went to staff at the Institute for Neurological Sciences who have been using a pioneering mixed reality (MR) system that allows them to “see inside” a patient’s body during surgery. 

The MR goggles and system, known as the Magic Leap, are used by Consultant Neurosurgeon and Complex Spine Surgeon Mohamed Abdelsadg and colleagues to make surgeries less invasive and more accurate, minimising damage to other tissue. 

The team were said to have “demonstrated remarkable dedication to advancing patient care by embracing cutting-edge technologies” that help to enhance precision. 

Overall Winner – CIRCLE Recovery Hub

Challenging times with restructures and reduced finances in Renfrewshire have seen a reduction in Support staff at CIRCLE Recovery Hub with the referral rates continuing to be high.

Our support staff have continued to give everything they have to support individuals in Renfrewshire that have mental health and / or addiction related issues, by continuing to develop the service provision, not only within one building but a Recovery Community in Renfrewshire as a whole.  The integrity of partnership working and seeing their provision as a piece of a large support network has supported these challenging times and also built strong connections with partner agencies, which aligns to future goals of the RHSCP.

Overall Winner – Gioia Sichi-Smith

As a key member of the West Dunbartonshire Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service, Gioia provides care, treatment and support to the most vulnerable people in the Community, making a difference every day.

Increasingly concerned at their lack of engagement with sexual health services, she completed additional training in this area of specialty, over and above her normal duties.  Her qualifications have allowed her to commence a weekly Clinic which incorporates sexual health screening as well as other Harm Reduction interventions.

Collaborating with colleagues and services across West Dunbartonshire, Gioia is expanding this work further, promoting the benefits of regular healthcare, and delivering awareness training for service users to help them on their personal recovery journey.

A true inspiration to others!

Overall Winner – Neonatal Team, Royal Hospital for Children

The Neonatal team at RHC has been outstanding during a particularly challenging time of displacement from the Neonatal unit. Despite having their intensive care unit flooded, necessitating a move to another area of the hospital, the team continued to

provide high-quality care to extremely sick and preterm babies. Their dedication and compassion have been remarkable, making them truly deserving of recognition for their incredible efforts and resilience. The team has pushed above and beyond all reserves to deliver high standards of care.

Patients in the neonatal unit can be very unwell, and a few of them will not make the journey to go home. The team is helping families to create lasting memories, treating everyone with dignity and respecting their individual needs and backgrounds.

The team, department, service or function that has been judged to have worked together as a team and made the most significant contribution to quality of care, population health and care, service delivery or staff wellbeing likely under significant pressure or difficult circumstances.

Any member of staff who has stood out as an exemplar of care giving, service delivery or who has made a major difference for colleagues around them or the delivery of a key objective for their department or wider NHSGGC/HSCP.

Any member of staff who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, positive values and behaviours and/or inspired others in a particularly challenging situation, or for the respect they get from others through the day to day difference they make for those around them as a leader.

Any member of staff can demonstrate leadership, not just those who formally manage people.

To recognise any individual, team or department responsible for developing and implementing an innovative service, method, technology or process that has made a significant difference to quality of care, wider population health or care, service delivery or to the wellbeing of our own staff or to the efficient use our resources.

To recognise an individual or team of individuals who have volunteered significant time and effort to the benefit of our patients, service users or staff and made selfless contribution perhaps under difficult personal circumstances.