01/11/2017
Four staff members from NHS Fife have been shortlisted for this year’s Scottish Health Awards.
The awards, which are run in partnership with the Daily Record, recognise the extraordinary efforts of staff on frontline health services, and are open to NHS Scotland professionals and other partner organisations.
This year’s event takes place on Thursday night at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh and will be hosted by comedian and radio presenter, Fred MacAulay.
NHS Fife has finalists in four categories including Midwife, Dentist, Support Worker and Volunteer.
Staff Midwife, Jennifer Cowe- Jennifer is a key part of the maternity team at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. She was involved in presenting a highly successful series of videos for expectant mums which were shared on various social media channels. These videos offered handy hints and tips in preparation for giving birth, helping to allay the fears many women have about the experience. The videos received very positive feedback from viewers, many of whom had been cared for by Jennifer.
Dental Specialist, Barry Corkey- Barry has developed and leads “the most responsive and caring team of specially trained paediatric dentists in Scotland”. His team ensures children in Fife have access to the best specialist care in an area with no university dental hospital or institute.
The centre has developed the only direct access unit in Scotland undertaking ‘tongue tie relief’ in babies to assist breast feeding. Barry also leads an innovative cleft palate network which aims to ensure the best outcome for children with this condition.
Therapy Support Worker, Lauren Templeman– Lauren works in the Intensive Therapy Service Child Mental Health Team in Kirkcaldy. Lauren, the only therapy support worker within the community multi-disciplinary team, is described as the team’s “magic wand” for her ability to engage young people and motivate them during their recovery. Lauren also supports the nurses, psychiatrist, psychologist and dieticians to help engage vulnerable young people with severe mental health difficulties from ages 8 – 18. In doing so, she helps patients to interact with specialists, agencies and community support networks to allow them the opportunity for the best chance of a successful recovery.
Volunteers, Roslyn and Andy Hume- Husband and wife, Roslyn and Andy are volunteer drivers for Victoria Hospice in Kirkcaldy. The couple have worked tirelessly in all weathers for the last 17 years, to provide this vital support. Patients are collected from their homes, taken to their day hospice before being collected by Roslyn or Andy to ensure they get safely home. This selfless service affords family members some valuable respite while the patients make a new circle of friends and establish their own support networks.
NHS Fife Chief Executive, Paul Hawkins, said: “I am delighted to see the efforts of our staff coming to wider recognition and it is a fantastic achievement for each of the finalists to be vying for such prestigious awards. We are very fortunate in Fife to have such inspirational and hard working staff, not only in our frontline services, but across the health board in all roles. I wish everyone the best of luck on the night”