Six local NHS Forth Valley staff and teams have been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Scotland’s Health Awards.

The awards, which are run in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, aim to recognise the outstanding contribution made by health and social care workers across the country.

Local staff have made the final in the following award categories:

Innovation Award

NHS Forth Valley’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team
This award aims to recognise individuals or teams developing innovative ways to improve the quality, delivery, safety or productivity of health and social care services. NHS Forth Valley’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service has transformed the way local services are designed and delivered by moving staff and support out of hospital-based clinics and into local schools and nurseries across the Forth Valley area. This innovative approach has helped improve access and increased capacity, resulting in the service having the shortest waiting times in the country.

Midwife Award

Jackie Rutherford, Senior Charge Midwife, Forth Valley Royal Hospital

This award aim to recognise midwives providing high quality, compassionate maternity care for women and babies. Jackie was nominated by a local woman who praised the amazing support she received from Jackie before, during and after a difficult labour. She also highlighted Jackie’s outstanding leadership and communication skills as well as her commitment to go above and beyond to support those in her care.

Nurse Award

Charmaine Black – Community Learning Disability Nurse, NHS Forth Valley

This award aims to recognise the high quality and compassionate NHS nursing care that an individual nurse has provided. Charmaine was described as a shining example of what compassionate, person-centred nursing care truly looks like. She was praised not only for her clinical expertise, but also her empathy, kindness and dedication that transforms the lives of everyone she supports. Colleagues highlighted her ability to see beyond a diagnosis to connect with people with learning disabilities and ensure they feel respected and heard.

Tackling Health Inequalities Award

This award aims to recognise the dedication and commitment of an individual or team that helps reduce health inequalities and/or motivates and supports people to make a change in their lives which has led to them leading a more active, healthier or fulfilling life.

NHS Forth Valley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team

Studies show that nearly 40% of children in Scotland’s most deprived areas begin school without adequate language skills, limiting attainment, affecting wellbeing and behaviour, and narrowing future opportunities. Determined to confront this inequality, NHS Forth Valley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service made radical changes to address communication needs and tackle disparities at their root. By placing speech and language therapists directly in local nurseries and schools across the area – where children naturally are – they have brought expertise closer to local communities, reduced stigma and increased engagement with families who were unable to attend appointments due to economic, cultural or social barriers. This approach has delivered fantastic outcomes including increased literacy skills, reduced exclusions and increased attendance levels for pupils with additional support needs.

NHS Forth Valley’s Women and Children’s Bereavement Team

NHS Forth Valley’s Women and Children’s Bereavement Team have been nominated for their outstanding commitment to delivering equity in bereavement care. Their innovative collaboration with the charity Held in Our Hearts is helping to break down barriers to support and ensure that all families, regardless of background, can access compassionate, high-quality care following the loss of a baby or young child. The new Hospital to Home initiative, provides up to six home visits offering emotional support and practical help, such as arranging funerals, accessing benefits, attending follow up hospital appointments, and supporting wider family members, including siblings and grandparents.

Unsung Heroes – Reader’s Choice Award

NHS Forth Valley’s healthcare team at HMP Stirling

This award, which is voted on by the public, aims to recognise individuals or teams who in the course of doing their job, make a real difference for people in Scotland, but whose work often goes unrecognised. The healthcare team at HMP Stirling delivers compassionate care in a sometimes challenging prison setting. With empathy and professionalism, they support some of Scotland’s most vulnerable women and young people, helping to transforms lives and restore dignity.

Votes for the Unsung Heroes award can be made online on the Scotland’s Health Awards website and close at midnight on 20 October 2025.

Ross McGuffie, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, said: “I would like to congratulate all six local finalists and thank everyone who took the time to nominate a local team, service or individual for this year’s national awards.

“Making it to the final is a great achievement and I wish our finalists the very best of luck at the award ceremony on 6 November 2025.”

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 6 November at Edinburgh’s O2 Academy.