People's Choice Award

This is the Scottish public’s opportunity to thank a nurse, midwife or nursing support worker who has made a difference to their, or a loved one’s, care.

Patients, clients, residents or relatives can nominate a nurse, midwife or nursing support worker who they believe has made a difference and gone that extra mile to ensure the highest standards of care. 

Registered nurses, registered midwives and nursing support workers working within health and care service in Scotland. Entries will be accepted from patient and members of the public only.

The finalists in this category will be announced in The Sunday Post newspaper this Sunday 14 April.

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

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Practice Nurse
Brechin Health Centre, NHS Tayside

Denise has been nominated for her exceptional dedication during floods in Brechin. Despite her own responsibilities at home, including caring for her three sons after her husband's passing, Denise worked tirelessly to provide medical care to displaced patients, even on her days off. She assisted patients who had to evacuate their homes, provided care in hotels, and organised support services such as laundering clothes and setting up a bereavement cafe for those struggling with loss. Denise's empathy and commitment to her patients have earned her praise from both colleagues and those she cares for, making her a truly remarkable nurse.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)

Derek is a highly experienced nurse with over 35 years of experience, specialising in children's palliative care for the past 11 years. He has been instrumental in establishing an advanced nurse practitioner team in children's hospices, providing care for extremely ill children and young people. Derek's role involves working in hospitals, hospice settings and homes, ensuring families can spend quality time with their children facing life-limiting conditions. Outside of his NHS role, Derek demonstrates immense responsibility and professionalism, serving as a mentor for trainee practitioners and providing outreach support and education to medical staff and nurses across Scotland. He is known for his courage in seeking innovative solutions to challenging situations and his ability to instil confidence and comfort in stressful environments. Derek's commitment and talent make him highly respected and valued by patients, families, colleagues and multidisciplinary teams.

Macmillan Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist
Oral and Maxillofacial/Ear, Nose and Throat Department
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital,  NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde

Jillian, a clinical nurse specialist in head and neck cancer at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, has been nominated for going above and beyond to support patients facing the challenges of head and neck cancer, which can involve face-changing surgery, difficulty in eating, and adjusting to breathing with a tracheostomy. Jillian provides emotional support, arranges transportation for appointments, and coordinates with volunteer drivers to ensure patients can access necessary treatment at the Beatson cancer unit in Glasgow. Her dedication extends to implementing measures to reduce infection risk for patients undergoing treatment. Jillian finds fulfilment in witnessing patients' journeys from diagnosis through treatment to recovery, including learning to eat and speak again.

Surgical Neonatal Liaison Nurse
Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow

Margaret (or Maggi to those who know her) is described as a pioneer in early discharge and family-centred care for newborn babies undergoing major surgery. She established a programme at Glasgow Queen Elizabeth University Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), allowing babies to complete their recovery at home with support from parents and community nurses. Maggi, retiring after 41 years, plans to return to the NICU. Her career spanned various hospitals, and she played a crucial role in treating babies with abdominal defects, inspiring parents to pursue nursing careers. One such parent, Claire McRobbie, now works alongside Maggi.

Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, NHS Lothian

Edinburgh oncology nurse Fiona Bruce, works at the city’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People while volunteering to give vital care to young cancer patients in Ghana. Along with Edinburgh oncologist Dr Emma Johnson, and other nursing colleagues, they have helped Ghanian child cancer medics set up what has become a leading children’s unit in Africa. The Edinburgh team are part of a global link of child oncology medics who work through UK charity World Child Cancer. Since twinning with Edinburgh’s children’s hospital Ghana now has seven hospitals giving childhood cancer treatment and care and five paediatric oncology doctors for the 1,300 children expected to develop cancer there annually. 11 years ago children’s cancer treatment was being given by a retired nurse in her 80s who drove an old bus a radius of 100 miles around the capital and thanks to Fiona and the rest of the Edinburgh team and their equally dedicated colleagues in Accra, they now have the gold standard child cancer treatment in West Africa and are training colleagues in other African countries.