Award Categories

Clinical Team of the Year

This award recognises a clinical team that has gone above and beyond their duties, leaving a remarkable impact on our patients.  The team is a shining example of effective teamwork, delivering clear benefits to patients and their families.  They work together harmoniously, fostering an environment of participation, transparency, and idea-sharing.  The team takes accountability for their actions, shares resources and skills, and acknowledges each other's contributions.  They cultivate a positive work culture that leads to exceptional outcomes, surpassing expectations and driving improvements in procedures, practices, productivity, and service levels.  

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Effective teamwork and collaboration

• Teams working together to support the personal and professional development of members

• Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients

• Evidence of high-quality services and upholding the Boards values

Non-Clinical Team of the Year

The organisation will honour a non-clinical team that has gone above and beyond in their duties to support their colleagues.  This team embodies the principles of effective teamwork by fostering collaboration and sharing resources, ideas, and skills.  Their positive attitude and exceptional work ethic create a productive and inspiring work environment.  Their dedication to exceeding expectations and achieving outstanding results has made a remarkable difference in the organisation's operations. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Effective teamwork and collaboration

• Teams working together to support the personal and professional development of members

• Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients

• Evidence of high-quality services and upholding the Boards values

Providing Excellent Care

This clinical professional has a remarkable impact on the lives of patients, caregivers, and colleagues.  They exhibit unwavering dedication and embody the values of NHS Orkney. Despite their exceptional qualities and contributions, they are not recognised enough.  This individual truly makes a difference and is a valuable member of their team.  They display compassion and care for others' well-being, always eager to listen and include others in making informed decisions.  

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Compassion and concern being shown for the well-being of patients, carers or colleagues

• Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients

• How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion

• Evidence of upholding the Boards values

Leader of the Year

This prestigious award celebrates remarkable leadership from an individual who consistently demonstrates a positive influence on patients, service users, caregivers, and colleagues while upholding our values.  The recipient will have exhibited outstanding leadership to both teams and individuals, resulting in measurable improvements in service quality.  They will have also positively impacted the department or NHS Orkney’s overall culture by setting a remarkable example of positive behaviour and practices. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Excellent communication skills

• An individual’s ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve objectives

• How barriers to change have been overcome

• How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion and personal and professional development as part of support to their colleagues

Learner of the Year

This award is a celebration of a remarkable individual's abilities. It recognises a colleague who has participated in educational and growth opportunities at NHS Orkney, either currently or in the past. This colleague's skill in applying their knowledge and sharing their experiences with colleagues, both within and outside their department, has led to a more enriched experience for everyone involved. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• How barriers have been overcome during the learning experience

• Application of learning within the department

• Positive impacts to patients and colleagues 

• Evidence of upholding the Boards values

Special Recognition

This individual's unwavering commitment to NHS Orkney is truly admirable, as they continuously strive to enhance the well-being of both patients and colleagues. They serve as a shining example to others, inspiring them to exceed expectations and approach challenges with innovation. Their colleagues hold them in high regard, as they actively support and guide those they work alongside, always working towards improving the system for the betterment of all. Their dedication to the values of NHS Orkney has earned them widespread respect among their peers. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Compassion and concern being shown for the well-being of patients, carers or colleagues

• The individual being a valued member of their team.  Listening and involving patients, carers or colleagues, helping them make choices and contribute

• The individual’s special qualities and contributions are not recognised as much as they should be

• Individual who upholds the Boards values

Continuous Improvement

This award recognises a team or individual who has developed or undertaken service/quality improvements, made changes to the way they work, made savings, or undertaken research, for the benefit of patients and colleagues, their department and NHS Orkney as a whole.  This may include implementing an idea or innovative approach which has resulted in improved practice, a new way of working or a saving of time or money.   

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Details of research, academic or personal development success

• The team or individual identifying areas which could be improved or made more efficient and effective using an innovative approach

• Improved services, for example through quality improvement or monitoring of outcomes for colleagues or patients

• Evidence of upholding the Boards values

Open and Honest

The winner of this award will be an exceptional role model when it comes to openness and transparency with our patients, community and  colleagues. They will communicate openly, share information regularly and take time to build trusting relationships with their team and lead by example when it comes to consistently leading with openness and honesty. This award recognises a colleague who values and develops people, sees them as individuals and encourages working together for better lives through an open and honest approach. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• Fostering a culture of openness and transparency

• Transparent and forthright communication with and engagement with patients, community members, and or colleagues

• Maintaining high ethical standards and promoting a culture of honesty and accountability

Respect

The winner of this award will be for a colleague who goes out of their way to engage with patients, community, and colleagues to promote inclusion and equality, and be respectful of and embrace difference and diversity. They will be interested in others and in helping to meet their needs and providing the best possible quality of care. They treat people as valued individuals and strive to put the needs of others before their own, taking into account principles of equality and inclusion. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of: 

• Treating patients, community members, and/or colleagues with the utmost respect, dignity, and courtesy

• Going above and beyond to ensure patients and/or colleagues feel heard, respected, and valued

• Promoting an inclusive work environment

Kindness

The winner of this award will have been an exceptional role model for kindness, whether this is toward patients, our community or colleagues. They will always treat people with kindness and be friendly and approachable. They will provide excellent examples of working with colleagues to provide excellent care and high-quality services. They will be attentive to the needs of others and willingly offer help where they can see it may be needed and evidence compassionate leadership in all they do. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of: 

• Treating patients, community members and/or colleagues with exceptional kindness, friendliness and approachability

• Contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment

• Empathy and attentiveness to the needs of others

Excellence in the Community

This Award is in response to feedback that we have more work to do as an organisation to recognise the outstanding work that Team Orkney do both in our Community and on our ferry-linked isles. This Award is for an individual or a team who go above and beyond to look after our community and provide excellent care, specifically in our community and on our ferry-linked isles, and in doing so consistently live our values of open and honest, respect and kindness. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of: 

• Compassion and concern being shown for the well-being of patients, carers or colleagues in a community environment

• Improvement work that has taken place on behalf of patients

• How the individual has promoted equality and inclusion

• Evidence of upholding the Boards values

Star of the Future

The recipient of the Star of the Future Award will be a true trailblazer, blazing a path for the next generation of healthcare leaders. Their achievements and potential will make them a shining example of what can be accomplished through dedication, vision, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. They will be known for their creative problem-solving abilities, forward-thinking mindset, and demonstrable track record of turning innovative ideas into impactful realities. 

The judges will be looking for evidence of: 

• An innovative mindset and creative problem-solving skills

• Serving as an inspirational role model through exceptional behaviour and practices

• Improvements to service quality driven by the individual's efforts

• Enthusiasm for continuous learning and development

People’s Choice Award - In partnership with The Orcadian

The opportunity to recognise extraordinary individuals through the People’s Choice Award is truly remarkable. It is a chance to celebrate the hard work and dedication of healthcare colleagues who have left a lasting impact on their community.  Nominations will be accepted for people working in NHS Scotland, from the wider health and social care sector (including those delivering integrated health and social care services) or from other organisations involved in providing health care services to people in Orkney. 

The Orcadian Newspaper has partnered with the People’s Choice award to encourage nominations of colleagues who have made a positive difference in the lives of others.  

The judges will be looking for evidence of:  

• A positive impact on patient experience or safety

• How teams or individuals used information or feedback to improve the patient experience or safety

• Teams or individuals who have demonstrated how they have championed and improved the quality and safety of patient care