The University of Stirling and NHS Forth Valley have been judged Partnership of the Year at the 2015 Student Nursing Times Awards, held in London yesterday.

The Awards celebrate the very best in nurse education, and the two institutions – sole Scottish winners – came top for their Psychological Trauma-informed Care Partnership.

Linking Stirling’s School of Health Sciences Mental Health team and NHS Forth Valley Mental Health Services, it has led to the development of ground-breaking care within Scotland.

Judges described it as: “An innovative approach with a clear impact on service users and the students. It demonstrates real collaboration and cites how a partnership can been used to improve curriculum and experience.”

Head of Stirling’s School of Health Sciences, Jayne Donaldson, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be have been recognised at the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards, receiving the partnership award with NHS Forth Valley.

“The partnership not only underlines our commitment and engagement with a key employer, but also emphasises our involvement to improve the lives of our community and to produce world leading research and education in this area.

“Among very strong competition, our shortlisting for six categories at the Awards was a great achievement for Stirling’s School of Health, with special mention to student Kyle West.”

Professor Angela Wallace, NHS Forth Valley Nurse Director, said: “This is a great achievement and one of which both NHS Forth Valley and the University of Stirling can be justifiably proud.

“Psychological trauma is a condition which requires greater understanding and the excellent working relationship between the two organisations is providing a top class standard of education which in turn is leading to improved patient care.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this award.”

Congratulating the Award winners, Nursing Times and Student Nursing Times Editor, Jenni Middleton said: “These awards demonstrate how much qualified nurses supporting those training to be nurses and student nurses are achieving.

“Every year we hear about fantastic new talent entering the profession, as well as excellent educators and mentors in universities and clinical placements.

“This event shows the nursing profession is in very safe hands because there is passion and expertise emerging in the next generation of nurses. And those shaping those nurses are evidently a tremendous inspiration and practical support.”

Stirling had been shortlisted for: Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year: Kyle West; Student Nurse of the Year: Adult: Kyle West; Education Provider of the Year (post-registration); Education Provider of the Year (pre-registration); Partnership of the Year: Psychological Trauma-informed Care: University of Stirling and NHS Forth Valley; Teaching Innovation of the Year: delivery of the Resuscitation Council (UK) Immediate Life Support course to final year undergraduate student nurses.