Care Home Nursing Award

As the complexity of residents’ clinical need increases, the skills, competencies and availability of nursing staff in care homes is increasingly important. They play a fundamental role in ensuring residents receive high quality, safe care and are treated with dignity and respect.

Open to registered nurses and nursing support workers working in Scotland’s care homes. This award aims to recognise the impact and importance of nursing in social care and those who have made an outstanding contribution to care and quality of life for residents in a care home. 

A registered nurse or nursing support worker who is delegated work by a registered nurse and is working in a clinical role in a care home setting in Scotland. This could be in a local authority, or the independent or third sector.

The nominee should clearly demonstrate:

• a commitment to person-centred care, innovation and delivering high quality services that make a difference to the people receiving care
• the positive impact of their work for residents, families and colleagues
• the use of a credible evidence base and/or developing an evidence base to underpin the work for which they are being nominated
• how their work contributes to the delivery of local and national policy and strategy within health and social care.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the awards, please get in touch by emailing scotlandnurseawards@rcn.org.uk

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Home Manager
Boclair Care Home, Care Concern Group

Maxine was tasked with opening Boclair Care Home in 2022 and has since dedicated herself to creating an environment focused on integrated care for the elderly, including those with dementia. She prioritises dignity, respect and person-centred care, renaming the facility ‘their home’ to reflect this ethos. Maxine leads by example, collaborating with her staff and prioritising residents' needs. Despite challenges, she maintains exacting standards, fosters a culture of continuous learning, and supports her team. Maxine's open-door policy and welcoming approach have garnered praise from stakeholders and resulted in positive reviews. She encourages residents to pursue their interests and facilitates family involvement, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment. Maxine's dedication and leadership have been instrumental in Boclair's success, earning her recognition for her vision and commitment to quality care.

Registered Nurse
Camilla House Care Home, Sanctuary Care

Pei has dedicated her nursing career to providing exceptional care at Camilla House Care Home since April 2021. She demonstrates a commitment to staying updated on clinical knowledge, particularly in areas such as skin integrity and early signs of deterioration. Praised as an empathetic nurse, Pei took on significant leadership responsibilities during a period without a deputy manager. She played a key role in implementing innovative technologies like the eMAR system and led quality improvement projects, such as enhancing skin tear management and transitioning to a paperless care planning system. Her initiatives have received positive feedback and recognition, showcasing her commitment to excellence and leadership in improving care for residents. Pei hopes to continue demonstrating her dedication to quality improvement and positive care environments.

Clinical Lead
Lisden Nursing Home, Balhousie Care Group

Robyn, the Clinical Lead at Lisden Care Home, is nominated for her outstanding dedication and contribution. Robyn's commitment to person-centred care is evident in her empathetic approach and focus on creating a positive environment for residents. She not only excels in clinical care but also demonstrates strong leadership qualities, collaborating with the Balhousie Care Group Operations Team to enhance services and promote staff development. Robyn's positive impact on residents, families and colleagues is recognised, and she maintains a credible evidence base for care provision through continuous improvement and adherence to standards. Additionally, her involvement in local and national policy initiatives showcases her commitment to broader health care strategies. Robyn's contributions are measurable through positive feedback and trust from the community, and her journey from carer to clinical lead serves as an inspiring example for the nursing profession. 

Interim Care Home Manager, Nightingale Care Home, Sterling Care Homes Ltd

Described by her colleagues as a care home manager with a passion for improving the care and services offered to the residents of the Nightingale Care Home. These improvements are clearly evidenced in her nominations for her work on food, fluid and nutrition (FFN). Working with NHS dieticians and being open to learning from nutritional audits, Arlene has completely overhauled food provision, developing the whole team to be upskilled in FFN. Her holistic approach has also seen her develop the environments where food is served, creating innovative calming spaces for residents. Arlene also encourages resident to be part of decisions about menus, encouraging resident to join staff on trips to the shops to buy the food that will be served. Other initiatives introduced by Arlene support physical fitness with adapted spin classes, yoga, and themed activities for events such as Wimbledon. Her nominators note that Arlene has turned this care home around despite the challenges of the pandemic and the wider challenges of recruitment and retention of staff. Arlene is keen to note that her staff work with her and not for her, she is always seen in the same uniform as her team and often assists care. Her staff are supported to contribute to the ongoing improvements within the home. Arlene is keen to raise the profile of holistic care home nursing and the positive outcomes it can achieve.