STAR Awards

No matter what their job is, any member of NHS Tayside or health and social care partnership staff can be nominated, including medical and nursing staff, therapists, community staff, support staff, social care staff and those who work in the more ‘hidden’ departments who may not deal with patients on a day-to-day basis.

Any volunteer who is recruited by NHS Tayside’s volunteer service team is eligible for the Volunteer Award, such as drivers, welcome guides, gardeners, listening volunteers or ward volunteers.

It is quick and easy to nominate your STAR and both staff and the public have until 5pm on Sunday, 1 November to make their nominations.

Members of the public can nominate their NHS Tayside STARs in eight categories.
1. Clinical Staff Award
2. Support Staff Award
3. Clinical Team Award
4. Support Team Award
5. Young Achiever Award
6. Unsung Hero Award
7. Volunteer Award
8. Social Impact and Global Citizenship Award

There are also three more specialist categories which are open to nominations from NHS Tayside staff. These are:
1. Innovation and Improvement Award
2. Tayside Together Award
3. Inspiring Educator/Trainer Award

Please read the guidance for nominating and ensure that you choose the correct category before clicking on the relevant nomination form.

Please give as much detail as you can in your nomination about why the person or team you are nominating deserves to win. Give examples of what they did that went the extra mile and how it made a difference to a patient or to you or your family.

Nominations are open to staff and the public, except for the three specialist categories that can only be nominated in by staff – these are clearly marked.

Your nomination must be for an individual working in NHS Tayside or a Health and Social Care Partnership (delivering integrated health and social care services for NHS Tayside).

The STAR Awards are proudly sponsored by NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation, whose support helps make this celebration of staff achievements possible.

This award aims to recognise the high quality and compassionate clinical care that a clinician has provided for the people of Tayside.

A doctor, nurse, healthcare assistant, consultant, surgeon, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychiatrist etc who goes the extra mile for their patient or colleagues/NHS Tayside.

Please note that teams and groups cannot be nominated for this award.

Nominate here for the Clinical Staff Award.

This award is for an individual involved in providing excellent non-clinical support services for people in Tayside.

A domestic assistant, porter, receptionist, healthcare scientist, service manager, or admin, estates or catering staff, etc. who goes the extra mile within their job role helping colleagues/NHS Tayside or patients and visitors.

Please note that teams and groups cannot be nominated for this award.

Nominate here for the Support Staff Award.

This award aims to recognise the excellent quality of care delivered by a team on a ward, at a day centre, an outpatient department or community-based service.

Podiatrists, physiotherapists, public health, healthcare assistants, nurses, doctors, a whole ward team of all job families that strives to deliver the best possible quality of health and care for people in Tayside.

Nominate here for the Clinical Team Award.

This award is for a team who, although not directly providing clinical services, is essential to the delivery of high-quality healthcare in NHS Tayside.

A service delivery team, laboratory team, administration team, support services team e.g. domestic, porter or catering team that consistently goes above and beyond to provide outstanding support to help ensure NHS Tayside services run effectively.

Nominate here for the Support Team Award.

This award celebrates individuals aged 30 or under on 28 February 2027 who have made an exceptional contribution in the early stages of their career.

Open to employees, students, apprentices or trainees from any clinical or non-clinical discipline, it recognises those who demonstrate initiative, ambition and excellent judgement in their work, consistently achieving exceptional results. Through their talent, dedication and commitment, they are helping to shape the future of NHS Tayside.

Please note that teams and groups cannot be nominated for this award.

Nominate here for the Young Achiever Award.

This award is for an individual who, in the course of doing their job, makes a real difference for people in Tayside, but whose work often goes unseen.

It celebrates those who quietly go above and beyond, shining a light on their small acts of kindness, support for colleagues, or consistent delivery of outstanding service. Their contributions may take place away from the spotlight, but they make a lasting impact on the people they support.

Please note that teams and groups cannot be nominated for this award.

Nominate here for the Unsung Hero Award.

This award is for an individual volunteer, or a group or team of volunteers who make an outstanding contribution to healthcare services in Tayside.

It recognises those who show exceptional commitment, compassion and dedication to making a difference, regularly going above and beyond to support patients, service users, carers, staff and communities across Tayside.

Please note this award is only open to volunteers recruited and supported directly by NHS Tayside’s Volunteer Services team.

Nominate here for the Volunteer Award.

This award is for an individual, group or team dedicated to making positive change towards a smarter, safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment for people and the planet.

It recognises those who make an exceptional contribution beyond their normal role to support communities, advance sustainability and climate action, champion inclusion, or improve health and wellbeing locally, nationally or globally.

Through volunteering, community involvement, or advocacy, they demonstrate a a strong commitment to social responsibility and leave a lasting legacy both within and beyond NHS Tayside.

Nominate here for the Social Impact and Global Citizenship Award.

This award is for an individual, a group or a team developing innovative ways to improve health and social care in Tayside and beyond.

Innovation has many forms and this award recognises both clinical and non-clinical innovation. This includes research, use of new or emerging technologies, new ways of working, or faster, smarter access to services and treatments.

It aims to recognise forward-thinking, innovative individuals, or teams, who have taken a creative approach to improve quality, delivery, safety or productivity within health and social care.

Only NHS Tayside staff can make a nomination in this category.

Nominate here for the Innovation and Improvement Award.

This award celebrates partnership and integration in action. It recognises teams, project groups or partnerships who work collaboratively with a range of colleagues to co-ordinate/deliver services across Tayside.

This may be a clinical or support service which has shared input from a number of specialities across health and social care, or a group that have come together from different services or agencies to deliver a project, initiative or improvement that has made a measurable difference.

The award is intended for collaboration that goes beyond routine day-to-day working relationships. It celebrates those who have teamed up to share expertise and work in partnership to tackle challenges, improve services or achieve a shared goal for the benefit of patients, communities or colleagues.

Please note: This category is for teams only. Individuals cannot be nominated.

Only NHS Tayside staff can make a nomination in this category.

Nominate here for the Tayside Together Award.

This award is for someone who supports the learning and development of others through mentoring, supervision, coaching or workplace training.

They create a supportive and inspiring learning environment, helping others to build their skills, knowledge and confidence. Through innovative approaches and a passion for developing people, they make a significant and lasting difference to the growth and success of others.

Please note that teams and groups cannot be nominated for this award.

Only NHS Tayside staff can make a nomination in this category.

Nominate here for the Inspiring Educator/Trainer Award.