Local NHS staff are celebrating after being shortlisted for two prestigious awards. Senior Charge Nurse, Tracey Gow, and her team at Falkirk Community Hospital are gearing up for the RCN Scotland nursing awards in June 2023 after being shortlisted for the Nursing Team of the Year award – a nomination that has caused both pride and excitement in Unit 5. Nicola Riddell, NHS Forth Valley’s eRoster Manager, who heads a team of six, is a finalist in the Health Service Journal’s Digital Awards for Digital Leader of the Year.

Unit 5 at Falkirk Community Hospital was a 16 bedded ward for patients with dementia who were in hospital awaiting nursing home care. During the Covid-19 pandemic it expanded to a 21-bedded and staff wanted to deliver better care to patients, some of whom were becoming withdrawn, and were able to get funding for an activity co-ordinator. This enabled more time to be spent with patients on a one-to one basis and helped identify their personal likes, dislikes, goals and motivations were could then be incorporated into individual care plans.

Senior Charge Nurse Tracey Gow said: “I just want to shout out loud that my team provide the best care every time I speak with anyone from the postman to our heads of nursing. They are a great team, and I am so proud to be a part of it. As this is first RCN Scotland awards, they are making history and I am sure none of them will forget it – I certainly won’t let them!”

She added: “We are currently in the process of making the funding for the activity co-ordinator permanent due to the many positive changes and benefits this role has helped achieved. I could not be prouder of my team for recognising that things had to change and then embracing change with total belief, compassion and care. They give 110% every day to each other and their patients to ensure that they have purpose, worth and a better quality of life.”

eRoster Manager Nicola Riddell who has been shortlisted in the HSJ digital awards has been involved in developing an eRostering system, moving away from the previous manual allocation of shifts. The aim is to make it easier for managers to ensure the right member of staff is working in the right place at the right time, bringing benefits to patient care and increasing patient safety.

The winners of both awards will be revealed at two separate ceremonies in June 2023.