Health and social care staff who have gone the extra mile have been recognised by West Dunbartonshire Council.
Dedicated health and social care professionals were honoured at the annual West Dunbartonshire HSCP staff awards ceremony.
Colleagues from across the partnership gathered in the Civic Space in Church Street for an inspirational presentation that recognised the outstanding contribution of those who go above and beyond to help the most vulnerable people in our community.
Four awards were presented by HSCP chair Michelle McGinty and HSCP board member Michelle Wailes before the event concluded with guests treated to afternoon tea.
Innovation of the year was awarded to Elaine Allan.
As a senior paediatric occupational therapist, Elaine forged strong links with Kilpatrick Primary School and Kilpatrick Early Years’ Service.
She recognised that young and vulnerable children with significant additional support needs had not been able to prepare for the transition from early years to primary school due to the pandemic.
Elaine secured one of only 14 places on the National Allied Health Professional Fellowship Programme, and was awarded 10 months of additional funding to develop resources to support the children, to help develop their self-care skills and to create a passport style document to share the information with their new schools.
Positive feedback from all those involved demonstrated the value of this initiative, not only to the children, but their families, as well as education professionals.
The tools and resources developed by Elaine can be used year after year to ensure a more streamlined and effective transition from nursery to primary school for children with additional support needs.
Leader of the year went to Alexis Mulvenna, manager of Blairvadach Children’s House.
Attendees were told how Alexis leads by example and has the ability to inspire and motivate her team to reach their full potential, resulting in an environment where the young people in her care have the opportunity to thrive.
Her achievements were acknowledged by the Care Inspectorate who gave Blairvadach the highest award, citing it as an “exceptional model of practice”.
Alexis is regarded by her colleagues as a caring, respectful and approachable manager whose main motivation has always been the high quality care for the young people. The Care Inspectorate report used the phrase, a “passionate manager” to describe her.
Team of the year went to the diabetic retinal screening service (administrative and clinical staff).
This team has shown remarkable adaptability and resilience during a very challenging two years.
The service was suspended for four months in the early days of the pandemic, and the retinal screening staff responded by being amongst the first to volunteer to work in front line roles in the Covid-19 assessment centres, and Track and Trace.
Employee of the year was awarded to Liz Kerr, business manager for the communities admin team who oversaw the opening of the new Clydebank Health Centre earlier this year.
Leading the ceremony, Beth Culshaw, chief officer of West Dunbartonshire HSCP said: “This is one of my favourite days of the year because it is a time to say thank you.
“Thank you for all that you do, as individuals and in your teams, to help the most vulnerable people in our community.
“It is tough at times, we face our challenges but we are here for our clients, our patients, our service users and their carers – and for our colleagues as well.
“This is about recognising that and the part that everyone plays in it.”
