The national Scottish Children’s Health Awards celebrate courageous children and young people and those who are making a difference to their health and wellbeing. There are seven awards in total which were unveiled during Scottish Children’s Health Week (2-8 September 2024).
AWARD 1 | Alyson Walker presented with Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award isn’t open to public nominations; it’s presented to a health professional who, in the opinions of the judges of the Scottish Children’s Health Awards, has made outstanding contributions to the health and wellbeing of children and young people. This year our winner of the Lifetime Achievement, Scottish Children’s Health Award is Alyson Walker, a Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthetist at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow.
AWARD 2 | Georgie Hyslop presented with Young Achiever Award
The Young Achiever Award recognises a child or young person who has shown great determination and courage in their life – and this year’s winner, Georgie Hyslop, from Ardrossan is a shining example. Georgie was just 15 when, on the 8 December, she was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma – a type of cancer.
AWARD 3 | Jenny McNeill presented with Improving Life Experiences Award
The Improving Life Experiences Award recognises the commitment and expertise of a person or team who’s made a significant difference to improving life experiences of a child or young person undergoing treatment. Our winner this year is Jenny McNeill, the team leader of Falkirk Council’s Interrupted Learners Service, which supports people who are unable to attend school due to physical or mental health reasons. Jenny and her team work with young people on a one-to-one and small group basis, nurturing and preparing them to return to academic work.
AWARD 4 | Heather Beattie presented with Health-Related Play Award
Health-related play is more than just a chance to have fun; it’s a serious business when it comes to children’s health and wellbeing. It can help children physically, mentally, and emotionally and is an essential part of treatment that can help speed up recovery either in hospital or at home. This award recognises a special person or team who’s made a significant difference to a child’s life through health-related play. This year our winner is Heather Beattie, Play Service Manager at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH), responsible for managing and developing the Play Service, which comprises a team of Senior Healthcare Play Specialists, Play Specialists and Play Workers.
AWARD 5 | Changing our World, the children and young people’s advisory group for Children in Scotland presented with Healthcare Rights Award
The Healthcare Rights Award acknowledges extraordinary steps taken by a person or team to advance the healthcare rights of children and young people. It’s a “thank you” in recognition of the difference made to a child’s world. The year our winner is Changing our World, the children and young people’s advisory group for Children in Scotland. The group range in age from 8 – 25, with different backgrounds, ideas, experiences, and views. They work with Children in Scotland to influence all aspects of its work to ensure it’s relevant to the lives of children and young people.
CLICK HERE to read their story.
AWARD 6 | Carnegie Swimming Club presented with Health and Wellbeing Award
The Health and Wellbeing Award recognises a person or team who has made a difference to the health and wellbeing of a child or young person. It’s a “thank you” in recognition of the difference made to a child’s world. This year our winner is the Carnegie Swimming Club. Focused on competitive swimming, the club has over 220 members, ranging from the age of 4 through to 51, training and competing at all levels across Scotland. The swimming programme is led by head coach Susan Taylor, who – along with a team of lead coaches – develops training to give swimmers at all levels the best chance of achieving their personal goals, whether that’s to be able to swim a full 25m Freestyle or competing in the British championships.
CLICK HERE to read their story.
AWARD 7 | Wendy Taylor presented with Children’s Choice Award
The Children’s Choice Award recognises someone who has made a significant difference to a child or young person undergoing treatment in hospital, at home or in the community. It’s a “thank you” in recognition of the difference they’ve made to a child’s world. Our winner this year is Wendy Taylor, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Schiehallion unit (haematology/oncology) at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. She works with all age groups from babes in arms to teenagers and her role spans nursing and medical, but, she says, her focus is always on the young people and their families.
