Team Orkney Awards
NHS Orkney and The Orcadian are working in partnership to launch the Team Orkney Awards to recognise the vital work, commitment and dedication of health and care staff in our community.
The awards were launched to recognise and thank individuals who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional care to our patients, keep our services running and work hard to improve our services as a whole.
Nominations which were open for NHS Orkney staff to vote were in the following categories: Clinical Team of the Year, Non-Clinical Team of the Year, Outstanding Care Award, Leader of the Year, Learner of the Year, Special Recognition, Innovation Award and the Values Award.
The final category, the People’s Choice Award – in partnership with The Orcadian, this category was for voting public and open to everyone in our local community. You can read more about the People's Choice award below.
The finalists were shortlisted by week commencing 26 February 2024 before being selected by a panel of judges ahead of the awards ceremony which was held at The Albert Hotel on 22 March.
During the evening, the hosts of the awards, Chief Executive Laura Skaife-Knight, Health Board Chair Meghan McEwen and Editor of The Orcadian Leah Seator announced the winners and presented the awards while guests enjoyed dinner.
We are also delighted to announce that the Outstanding Care award will be sponsored by Unison. The awards are possible thanks to support from our sponsors and the Orkney Health Board Endowment Funds - a registered Scottish charity.
Laura Skaife-Knight, NHS Orkney Chief Executive, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we are working in partnership with The Orcadian to celebrate the very best of Team Orkney.
“We’ve listened carefully to feedback about what it’s like working here and the areas staff would like us to focus on. In response, we’ve strengthened our programme of work for how we value, recognise and celebrate the great work our staff do day in and day out. The Team Orkney staff awards are a key part of this programme and an opportunity to highlight and thank those who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional care to our patients, keep our behind-the-scenes services running smoothly and work so hard to continue to innovate and improve our services.
“I am also pleased that we are involving our wonderful community in this process with the People’s Choice Award to recognise those who have had a lasting impact on our local community and made a positive difference to the lives of others.”
Meghan McEwen, NHS Orkney Chair, said:“As a board, I am absolutely delighted to be celebrating and recognising the incredible work of our staff. I have heard how much staff value being recognised and thanked for their incredible work. Our community has told me many times that our staff are our most powerful asset. These awards are a great way for us to celebrate them. I am excited about the People's Choice award and really look forward to receiving nominations and hearing stories about how Team Orkney has made a difference.
Editor of The Orcadian, Leah Seator said: "Some of the biggest heroes in our community work for the health service, making a genuine difference in the community to local patients, and those receiving healthcare right across the county. The inception of this wonderful initiative to celebrate and commend local NHS staff for their efforts is very welcome, and The Orcadian is delighted to sponsor the awards.
"In the coming weeks you will be able to follow progress on the Team Orkney awards in the newspaper — we hope this will shine a spotlight on the fantastic work carried out by teams, individuals and those at the helm, who sometimes go above and beyond for the sake of the people they care for."
- You can find details about all the award categories below for information
- You can view the list of Team Orkney Award winners from the evening here
- You can view the full shortlist here
- You can view the full list of nominees here
Award Categories
Clinical Team of the Year
This award recognises a clinical team that has gone above and beyond their duties, leaving a remarkable impact on our patients. The team is a shining example of effective teamwork, delivering clear benefits to patients and their families. They work together harmoniously, fostering an environment of participation, transparency, and idea-sharing. The team takes accountability for their actions, shares resources and skills, and acknowledges each other's contributions. They cultivate a positive work culture that leads to exceptional outcomes, surpassing expectations and driving improvements in procedures, practices, productivity, and service levels.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Effective teamwork and collaboration.
- Teams working together to support the personal and professional development of members.
- Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients.
- Evidence of high-quality services and upholding the Boards values.
Non-clinical Team of the Year
The organisation will honour a non-clinical team that has gone above and beyond in their duties to support their colleagues. This team embodies the principles of effective teamwork by fostering collaboration and sharing resources, ideas, and skills. Their positive attitude and exceptional work ethic create a productive and inspiring work environment. Their dedication to exceeding expectations and achieving outstanding results has made a remarkable difference in the organisation's operations.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Effective teamwork and collaboration.
- Teams working together to support the personal and professional development of members.
- Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients.
- Evidence of high-quality services and upholding the Boards values.
Outstanding care award
This clinical professional has a remarkable impact on the lives of patients, caregivers, and colleagues. They exhibit unwavering dedication and embody the values of NHS Orkney. Despite their exceptional qualities and contributions, they are not recognised enough. This individual truly makes a difference and is a valuable member of their team. They display compassion and care for others' well-being, always eager to listen and include others in making informed decisions.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Compassion and concern being shown for the well-being of patients, carers or colleagues.
- Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients.
- How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion.
- Evidence of upholding the Boards values
Leader of the Year
This prestigious award celebrates remarkable leadership from an individual who consistently demonstrates a positive influence on patients, service users, caregivers, and colleagues while upholding our values. The recipient will have exhibited outstanding leadership to both teams and individuals, resulting in measurable improvements in service quality. They will have also positively impacted the department or NHS Orkney’s overall culture by setting a remarkable example of positive behaviour and practices.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Excellent communication skills.
- An individual’s ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve objectives.
- How barriers to change have been overcome.
- How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion and personal and professional development as part of support to their colleagues.
Learner of the Year
This award is a celebration of a remarkable individual's abilities. It recognises a colleague who has participated in educational and growth opportunities at NHS Orkney, either currently or in the past. This colleague's skill in applying their knowledge and sharing their experiences with colleagues, both within and outside their department, has led to a more enriched experience for everyone involved.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- How barriers have been overcome during the learning experience.
- Application of learning within the department.
- Positive impacts to patients and colleagues
- Evidence of upholding the Boards values.
Special recognition award
This individual's unwavering commitment to NHS Orkney is truly admirable, as they continuously strive to enhance the well-being of both patients and colleagues. They serve as a shining example to others, inspiring them to exceed expectations and approach challenges with innovation. Their colleagues hold them in high regard, as they actively support and guide those they work alongside, always working towards improving the system for the betterment of all. Their dedication to the values of NHS Orkney has earned them widespread respect among their peers.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Compassion and concern being shown for the well-being of patients, carers or colleagues.
- The individual being a valued member of their team. Listening and involving patients, carers or colleagues, helping them make choices and contribute.
- The individual’s special qualities and contributions are not recognised as much as they should be.
- Individual who upholds the Boards values.
Innovation award
This award recognises a team or individual who has developed or undertaken service/quality improvements, made changes to the way they work, made savings, or undertaken research, for the benefit of patients, their department and NHS Orkney as a whole. This may include implementing an idea or innovative approach which has resulted in improved practice, a new way of working or a saving of time or money.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Details of research, academic or personal development success.
- The team or individual identifying areas which could be improved or made more efficient and effective using an innovative approach.
- Improved services, for example through quality improvement or monitoring of outcomes for staff or patients.
- Evidence of upholding the Boards values.
Values award
The individual who receives this award will be acknowledged for their outstanding dedication to providing secure and compassionate healthcare services to our patients and their loved ones. Their actions will have aligned with the fundamental values of NHS Orkney, Care & Compassion, Dignity & Respect, Quality & Teamwork, and Openness, Honesty & Responsibility
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- How or why, this person has special qualities, cares about others and understands what each individual needs.
- A positive impact on patients, their loved ones and colleagues.
- How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion.
- How they champion Care & Compassion, Dignity & Respect, Quality & Teamwork, and Openness, Honesty & Responsibility.
People’s Choice Award – In partnership with The Orcadian
The opportunity to recognise extraordinary individuals through the People’s Choice Award is truly remarkable. It is a chance to celebrate the hard work and dedication of healthcare colleagues who have left a lasting impact on their community. Nominations will be accepted for people working in NHS Scotland, from the wider health and social care sector (including those delivering integrated health and social care services) or from other organisations involved in providing health care services to people in Orkney.
The Orcadian Newspaper has partnered with the People’s Choice award to encourage nominations of colleagues who have made a positive difference in the lives of others.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- A positive impact on patient experience or safety.
- How teams or individuals used information or feedback to improve the patient experience or safety.
- Teams or individuals who have demonstrated how they have championed and improved the quality and safety of patient care.