One of NHS Lothian’s healthcare heroes was celebrated at this year’s Scottish Health Awards 2023, scooping the Care for Mental Health Award.
Claire Bashford, who works in the Mental Health Team at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Major Trauma unit was named the winner of the Care for Mental Health Award.
Described as providing invaluable care through her training and support, Claire is known to support patients long after their initial injuries as her dedication to helping recovery is second to none.
As well as leading the Mental Health Team as part of the Major Trauma Service during the Covid pandemic, Claire developed an initiative for patients in Critical Care which is still used to this day. She is said to have ‘established a support network for staff and ensure co-ordinated, exceptional care is always available’.
Run by the Daily Record and in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, the annual awards celebrate the NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care and support to patients and their families.
Patients, families, work colleagues and members of the public were invited to nominate a local hero across one of the sixteen award categories with over 900 nominations and 51 finalists named.
David Dick, editor in chief of Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: “Congratulations to Claire for winning the Care for Mental Health Award. With over 900 nominations, the judging panel had a difficult task in picking the winner for each category this year.
“Every winner should be extremely proud of their hard work and dedication in making a difference to their patients, families and communities. It’s with their support that we are able to celebrate 75 years of our National Health Service as a country and it is an honour for us to continue running these awards.”
Winners were named at an awards ceremony at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh on 2 November.
For more information visit https://scottishhealthawards.com