Copyright scotsman
They range from unheralded individuals to life-saving teams - from a young achiever working in spinal injury comfort to a children’s speech and language therapy service reimagining traditional care. Dozens of Scotland’s healthcare workers have been recognised in a glittering annual awards ceremony celebrating the nation’s everyday heroes working in the NHS. Scotland’s Health Awards 2025, which was hosted by The Scotsman, received 880 individual nominations spanning every health board in Scotland. Nurses, first responders, volunteers and care workers up and down the country were put forward across 17 categories recognising their skill, compassion and dedication. The excitement culminated in a glitzy black tie awards ceremony at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange presented by radio host Grant Stott on Thursday night, where the final winners were revealed and awarded their prizes. NHS Forth Valley’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service was a major winner on the night, claiming two awards - one for innovation and the other for tackling health inequalities. Clackmannan’s Charmaine Black, a learning disability nurse from the same health board, was also recognised with the Nurse Award, sponsored by the Royal College of Nursing. Other winners included NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Aimie Holland, who claimed the Young Achiever Award, and Blood Bikes Scotland - an essential medical item delivery service that received the Volunteers Award. South Lanarkshire’s care service Blantyre LIFE was honoured with the Integrated Care Award, NHS Grampian’s Major Trauma Centre team member Wendy Harper won the support worker category, and Glasgow City Health and Social Care (GCHSCP) Home Care was recognised as the country’s top health team. Laura Turton, from NHS Tayside, and Steven Swanson, from NHS Lothian, were jointly recognised as winners of the Leader of the Year award. The HMP Stirling Healthcare Team, which is charged with delivering high-quality, integrated healthcare within a secure prison environment, was crowned the winner of the Unsung Hero/Heroes- Readers' Choice Award. Attendees were welcomed by The Scotsman editor Alan Young and Health Secretary Neil Gray. Mr Gray said: “It is absolutely critical that we are able to celebrate the very best of our health service. Our health service is all about people - the people we are there to serve, but also the people that make our health service great.” The Cabinet secretary added: “Last year there were record numbers of hip and knee operations, cancer mortality was at a record low, rapid cancer diagnostic centres catching cancers earlier, more GP appointments, more GPs coming into the health service. “What tonight does is allow us to see behind those headline figures and what has allowed us to deliver that and that is the incredible commitment, innovation, professionalism, and care and compassion that you all deliver in your local systems and help to spread across the National Health Service.” Mr Young said: “This year I was honoured to be one of the judges and that gave me an even greater insight into the extraordinary work that happens every day. “Reading through the nominations was an emotional experience, even for a hard-nosed journalist. More than one left me with a lump in my throat and all were truly inspiring, from major innovations in the biggest centres to the small, but vital, life-changing interventions by community teams. “The work that we honour tonight has been nothing short of outstanding.” Here’s a full list of the winners across all the categories: NHS Forth Valley’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service has reimagined traditional care by moving from clinic-based care to an embedded, school-centred model, with therapists now working directly with schools and nurseries. Their bold redesign has reduced waiting times, improved literacy and empowered teachers and families. Wendy brings compassion, skill, and dedication to her role in NHS Grampian’s Major Trauma Centre. She supports critically injured patients through physical and emotional recovery, going beyond routine duties to offer dignity, encouragement and comfort to patients. Blantyre LIFE is transforming care in South Lanarkshire by blending community warmth with clinical excellence. In its first year, it supported over 200 people though personalised reablement, cutting hospital stays by 40%. Blantyre LIFE sets a new standard for integrated, compassionate care. Charmaine Black, a Learning Disability Nurse in Clackmannan, embodies the very best of NHS nursing, combining compassion and clinical excellence. She transforms lives through person-centred care, and builds trust and genuine connections with patients. Her empathy and dedication inspire all who work with her. NHS Forth Valley’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service transformed care by embedding therapists in schools across Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling. This innovative approach breaks down barriers for disadvantaged children, cutting waiting times, improving literacy, reduced exclusions and empowered communities. These exceptional carers provided compassionate, person-centred support to a man living with MS, becoming like family to him and his loved ones. From supporting daily routines to celebrating life’s moments - like dressing him for his daughter’s wedding - they met his needs with respect, humour and dedication. Their professionalism and warmth brought dignity and comfort in his final months. Dr Duggan provided exceptional, compassionate care to a terminally ill patient. He closely monitored the patient with frequent face-to-face visits, valued the family’s observations and coordinated with the palliative care team to manage pain and comfort. Even on his days off, he offered unwavering support. Aimie Holland is an exceptional young healthcare achiever. At just 30, she’s already lead transformative projects improving spinal injury comfort, digital orthotics and person-centred care standards. Her evidence-based innovation, leadership, and collaboration have delivered measurable improvements, and she is a shining example of how youthful energy and dedication can revolutionise services. Jonathan Hannay, Consultant General Surgeon at NHS Golden Jubilee, has dedicated over a decade to providing life-saving surgical care in Western Zambia. He treats complex cases rarely seen in the UK, donates vital medical supplies and buildings local clinical capacity by adapting training for Zambian clinicians. Neil, Liaison Psychiatry Nurse Specialist at Borders General Hospital, provides exceptional crisis mental health care in high-pressure acute settings. He offers calm, compassionate, trauma-informed support and in doing so he transforms patient outcomes, reduces repeat crises, and inspires colleagues. Lucy demonstrated extraordinary care, going far beyond clinical duties to care for a pregnant woman facing domestic abuse. She recognised subtle signs, connected her to specialist services and provided unwavering emotional support. Her dedication and humanity make her truly deserving of this award. Zain Younis has transformed pharmacy care in remote Campbeltown by introducing innovative clinical services like Pharmacy First Plus and diagnostic ear checks. His improvements have expanded care access, reduced pressure on other services and made a lasting impact in the rural community. Blood Bikes Scotland, founded in 2012, provides free, rapid medical courier services across Scotland, delivering blood, samples, medication, and equipment every day of the year. With over 250 volunteers, their live-saving work saved NHS Scotland £352,917 and ensured critical, timely deliveries in all weathers. Laura Jess, Head of Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiology at NHS Lothian, has transformed respiratory and sleep services in Scotland. She combines scientific excellence with compassionate leadership, and her innovation and dedication have redefined what healthcare science can achieve. Claire, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and Team Lead in Midlothian Community Respiratory Team, has transformed respiratory care in Scotland. She has developed a pioneering, data-driven service that helps people with COPD live well at home, reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life. Laura has transformed NHS Tayside Audiology Services into a national exemplar, improving access and reducing waiting times from over a year to under 16 weeks. Her leadership inspires staff and empowers patients, and she is recognised for her creativity and commitment. Steven transformed the Biochemistry Department at Western General Hospital into a beacon of innovation and excellence. Steven inspires his team through mentorship and compassion and relentless focus on patient impact. The HMP Stirling Healthcare Team delivers high-quality, integrated healthcare within a secure prison environment. Their person-centred, trauma-informed approach transforms lives, promotes recovery and ensures community reintegration, making a profound, lasting impact beyond the prison walls.
