THURSDAY, 31 OCTOBER, 2024

For immediate release. Photo attached: NHS Tayside Board members and volunteers launch the STAR AWARDS

It’s time to nominate your NHS Tayside STARs!

NHS Tayside volunteers joined Board members at the Tayside NHS Board meeting today (Thursday) to officially launch the 2024-25 STAR Awards.

Nominations are now open to recognise individuals, teams and services that deliver outstanding patient care or go the extra mile in their job. Two new categories have been added to this year’s STAR Awards, including an award to recognise the importance of volunteers in the work of the NHS in Tayside.

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 online at www.starawardstayside.scot.nhs.uk and both staff and the public have until 5pm on Wednesday, 27 November to make their nominations.

Chief Executive Nicky Connor said, “We are thrilled to launch the STAR Awards for 2024-25 to recognise our wonderful staff across Tayside. These awards give people the chance to nominate a person or team who they believe has made a real difference to them or their family.

“We want people to tell us about the dedicated teams and individuals who go the extra mile to provide care for the people who use our health services, as well as those who go above and beyond in providing essential support services.

“There are lots of categories to nominate our staff in, including two new categories this year – the Tayside Together Award and the Volunteer Award – and we’ve rebranded our Global Citizenship Award to include Social Impact to recognise efforts of staff around sustainability and making a difference beyond their day job on a local, national and global scale. These new categories will help us honour even more staff within NHS Tayside and also recognise the significant contribution that volunteers make.

“Every member of staff in NHS Tayside is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Tayside and the STAR Awards help us celebrate the tremendous efforts of our colleagues.”

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 the Innovation and Improvement Award, the Tayside Together Award and the Inspiring Educator/Trainer Award.

Chair Lorna Birse-Stewart added, “More than 1000 nominations were received in last year’s STAR Awards which shows the difference our staff can make to the lives of patients and their families.

“There are so many deserving members of staff who go above and beyond to help patients across Tayside and I would encourage members of the public to get involved and make a nomination in this year’s awards.

“The judging panel will definitely have a very difficult job in choosing the winners and I am looking forward to celebrating our staff at the awards ceremony in February.”

Employee Director Jenny Alexander said, “The awards also give staff a great opportunity to nominate a colleague for outstanding performance, which can be a real boost to morale – particularly for staff who are not always visible to patients and visitors but who are vital to the smooth running of the organisation. Getting nominated means a lot to staff members, so I would encourage everyone to nominate their STAR.”

Full details of the categories

The award categories open to nominations from members of the public are:

• Clinical Staff Award – a doctor, nurse, healthcare assistant, consultant, surgeon, physiotherapist, occupational therapist etc

Someone who goes the extra mile for their patients or colleagues/NHS Tayside

• Support Staff Award – a domestic assistant, porter, receptionist, service manager, estates or catering staff etc

Someone who goes the extra mile within their job role helping colleagues/NHS Tayside or patients and visitors

• Clinical Team Award – podiatrists, physiotherapists, public health, healthcare assistants, nurses, doctors, a whole ward team of all job families

A team that strives to deliver the best possible quality of health and care for people in Tayside.

• Support Team Award – a service delivery team, laboratory team, administration team, support services team e.g. domestic, porter or catering team

A team that, although not directly providing clinical services, very much supports the delivery of high-quality healthcare in NHS Tayside.

• Young Achiever Award

An individual aged 30 years or younger on 28 February 2024 who has demonstrated outstanding achievement as part of their working life.

• Unsung Hero Award

An individual who, in the course of doing their job, makes a real difference for people in Tayside, but whose work often goes unrecognised.

• Volunteer Award – an individual, group or team of volunteers who are recruited by NHS Tayside’s volunteer services team.

A person or group of people who show dedication to NHS Tayside and its communities by volunteering regularly and going above and beyond their role.

• Social Impact and Global Citizenship Award – an individual, group or team dedicated to making positive change towards a smarter, safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment for people and the planet.

Somebody who champions diversity and inclusivity, demonstrates a strong commitment to social responsibility, and is making a difference at a local, national, or global level. In addition to their health or social care day job, also volunteers or supports global health or social care work.

Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday, 27 November, 2024.

The glittering awards ceremony where the winners will be announced is being held in the Apex Hotel, Dundee on 28 February 2025.

The STAR Awards are supported by the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation, a Registered Scottish Charity supporting NHS Tayside hospitals and services. 

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138