“If you know someone who’s gone above and beyond—nominate them.” That’s the message from Health Secretary Neil Gray, as Scotland’s most heartfelt awards ceremony returns for another year. And this time, the spotlight on everyday heroes feels brighter than ever.
With 17 categories ready to celebrate the nation’s health and care champions, nominations are now open—and the call to act isn’t just a polite suggestion. It’s a nudge from the heart of government to the people of Scotland.
Why These Awards Matter More Than Ever
You can feel it in Neil Gray’s voice—this isn’t just about handing out trophies. It’s about gratitude. The kind that lingers.
The Health Secretary was joined by NHS Scotland chief executive Caroline Lamb at the official launch, held with a touch of ceremony and a lot of warmth. Standing together, they marked the start of this year’s search for excellence. The venue for the big night? Edinburgh Corn Exchange, set for November.
These awards aren’t a checkbox exercise. They’re about the quiet, consistent effort—the nurse who stays long after her shift ends, the social care worker who becomes family to someone with no one else.
Gray said it best: “These awards give us the chance to show what their extraordinary achievements mean to each and every individual in Scotland.”
17 Ways to Say Thank You
The Scotsman, hosting this year’s ceremony, has curated a powerful list of award categories.
They stretch across the full health and social care landscape, making space for everyone from mental health specialists to porters and practice managers. That’s the point—celebrating care in all its forms, not just the most visible.
Here’s a peek at some of the categories that might just remind you of someone who deserves the spotlight:
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Support Worker Award
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Midwife Award
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Volunteer Award
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Doctor Award
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Innovation Award
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Integrated Care Award
Each nomination is a story waiting to be told. And some of those stories might never be known without someone stepping forward to say, “This person changed my life.”
More Than Just a Ceremony
There’s something deeply human about what these awards aim to recognise. And it’s not all about who wins.
Gray is urging people not to wait around. “If you know someone who has done something special,” he says, “put in a nomination.” He’s not shouting. He’s just telling it straight.
You don’t need to be eloquent or know how to write like a pro. What matters is telling the truth. Did someone show kindness when it mattered most? Did they step up during a crisis? Did they hold your hand when everything else was falling apart?
One sentence can say a lot.
The Scotsman’s Role as Host
This year, it’s The Scotsman taking the reins, and that says something about how the awards are viewed—not just by the public, but by media and policymakers.
They’re not being tucked away in a quiet hotel ballroom. They’re being front and centre, in one of the capital’s biggest venues, with the nation’s leading newspaper shouting about it.
It’s a reminder that these workers aren’t invisible. They’re Scotland’s heartbeat.
Caroline Lamb made it clear: the people behind our health service deserve more than paychecks and praise—they deserve recognition. “This is about shining a light on the brilliant work happening every single day,” she said.
A Country Still Catching Its Breath
Let’s not pretend things are easy in health and care right now. Waiting times, burnout, staffing pressures—they’re all still in the picture.
But that’s exactly why these awards hit home so hard. They come in the middle of the noise, offering a quiet moment to appreciate the good that’s still happening. And yes, there’s a lot of it.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the health workforce across Scotland:
| Role | Approximate Number in 2024 |
|---|---|
| NHS Scotland Staff | 180,000+ |
| Social Care Workers | 140,000+ |
| Volunteers in Care Settings | 20,000+ |
| Allied Health Professionals | 14,000+ |
That’s hundreds of thousands of people. Not stats. Humans. Working, often under pressure, to keep the country going.
One Nomination Could Change Someone’s Life
It might sound like a cliché, but it’s true. For many of those nominated, this is the first time anyone’s put their name forward for anything. They’re not used to it.
Some blush. Some cry. Some smile and say, “I was just doing my job.” And maybe they were. But isn’t that what makes it more powerful?
Don’t underestimate what a few kind words in a nomination form can do.
You never know—the person who sat with your gran every afternoon in her final weeks might just walk across the stage in November, tears in their eyes, applause filling the room.
And they’ll never forget who took the time to say, “Thank you.”
