The competition is hotting up to name Ayrshire’s health heroes, with 24 finalists now selected.

This year’s Ayrshire Achieves awards gave local people – and other NHS staff - the chance to recognise the contribution of health workers and volunteers who had gone the extra mile.

A judging panel made up of staff, senior managers, sponsors, and representatives from trade unions selected the 24 finalists and then the overall winners in each category.

The finalists come from a wide range of disciplines – from nursing staff and clinicians to volunteers and allied health professions.

There are seven award categories and the finalists are:

Behind the scenes, sponsored by Unison

· Jennifer Reid, Vaccination Programme Manager

· Dr Krishna Prasad, Consultant

· Thom Williamson, Largs Community Response Team

· Linda Muir and the Home Life Team

Caring for each other, sponsored by Unite

· John Somerville, Lead Nurse – Occupational Health

· Racecourse Road Intermediate Care Unit

· Sharon Deans, Senior Charge Nurse

Caring for people, sponsored by Unison

· Elaine Swan, Ann Brooker and the Children’s Diabetic Team

· Community Pharmacy Network

· Margaret McLean, Practice Education Facilitator

· Home Birth Team

Collaboration and working together, sponsored by NHS Staff Benefits

· Extended Face-fit Testing Team

· Burnock Nurse-led Model

· Working Together - Occupational Therapists in GP surgeries

Making a difference with digital, sponsored by Royal College of Nursing

· Digital Champions Network

· Lillian White, Specialist Nurse Urology Cancer

· Sam Falconer, Ogg’s Pharmacy, Ayr

Shining star, sponsored by Unison

· Bianca Ballingall, Speech and Language Therapist

· Dr Sufiya Ahmed, Clinical Development Fellow

· Laura Doherty, Public Health Project Manager for Infants, Children and Young People

· Dr Kati Carroll, Acute Medical Consultant

Thinking out of the box, sponsored by Unison

· Siobhan Reid, Midwife

· Dr Sufiya Ahmed, Clinical Development Fellow

· Occupational Therapists in GP surgeries

The winners of Ayrshire Achieves 2023 will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at University Hospital Ayr.

Claire Burden, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “On behalf of the organisation, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate their health hero for an award, and congratulate all those members of staff and volunteers who were nominated.

“Every day we hear of examples of our dedicated staff going the extra mile. They don’t do this in anticipation of awards, but because they are committed to providing safe, high quality care. Congratulations to the finalists and I wish you the best of luck.”

“Ayrshire Achieves is our chance to celebrate all that is great about health and social care in Ayrshire and Arran.

"This year is also the 75th anniversary of the NHS, and so this event is an opportunity to reflect on how things have changed and improved over the years.”

Mr Burden added: “This year, we will be live-streaming the event on YouTube, and will be sharing live updates on Instagram. So, make sure you tune in and support your health hero.”

Lesley Bowie, chairperson of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, will also present the Chairperson’s award to an individual or team who he feels deserves special recognition for the work that they do.