Driving Improvement: Implementing Realising Potential

Moments to be proud of

AHPs in mental health have been recognised through various award schemes since the launch of Realising Potential

Scotland's Dementia Awards, 2013

Credit: Alzheimer Scotland

NHS Lanarkshire's "Dementia is Everyone's Business", co-developed by AHP Consultant Sandra Shafii (fourth from right), won the Best Dementia-friendly Community Initiative Award. The group works in innovative partnerships with public services, shops and businesses in the Motherwell area.

Advancing Health Care Awards, 2014

Credit: Chamberlain Dunn

The Scottish Government's awards recognise initiatives aiming to improve quality and demonstrate impact. Lisa Greer, AHP Lead (second from left) and Jean McQueen, AHP Consultant (third from left), won an award for their work in transforming vocational rehabilitation in mental health in NHSScotland. They are pictured with Jacqui Lunday Johnstone, Scotland's Chief Health Professions Officer, and Roy Lilley, the well-known NHS writer, broadcaster and commentator.

Health Service Journal National Awards, 2012

Credit: Health Service Journal

Jean McQueen, AHP Consultant in Forensic Mental Health, and Elaine Hunter, then AHP Advisor in Mental Health to the Scottish Government, were Highly Commended in the prestigious HSJ National Awards for promoting improved partnership-working between health and local government.

Therapist of the Year, Scottish Health Awards, 2013

Credit: Fife Free Press

A proud Gail Hogg moments after receiving her award. Gail, an occupational therapist in NHS Fife, works tirelessly to provide a cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with cognitive impairment. The award also recognised her efforts in developing a bespoke carers' group.

Churchill Fellowship, 2012

Credit: Clive Totman, The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust

Norma Clark, AHP Mental Health Lead and Occupational Therapist in NHS Fife, is presented with a Churchill medallion at a prestigious biennial award ceremony in London after successfully completing her Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. Norma studied occupational therapy recovery approaches used to support students undertaking higher education programmes to successfully self-manage their mental health. She receives her medallion from Dame Mary Peters, DBE, Olympic gold medal-winning pentathlete and a 1972 Churchill Fellow.

College of Occupational Therapists The Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture, 2013

Credit: College of Occupational Therapists

Elaine Hunter, then AHP Advisor in Mental Health to the Scottish Government, now AHP Consultant at Alzheimer Scotland, delivers the 2013 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture on "Transformational leadership in occupational therapy - delivering change through conversations". The Elizabeth Casson Trust was established to support the training and development of occupational therapists and to further the profession.

Churchill Fellowship to Australia, 2012

Credit: Tommy McLeod

Tommy McLeod, an occupational therapist from NHS Highland, and the catering group at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) in Melbourne, Australia. A multidisciplinary group of psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses and social workers helped to run this group, which provided meals for young people who had psychosis and provided an opportunity for them to gain a recognised qualification in catering. Tommy spent six weeks working with the group as part of his fellowship.

Mental Health Nursing Forum Scotland Awards, 2014

Credit: Occupational Therapy Department, NHS Dumfries & Galloway

The IDEAS Team from NHS Dumfries & Galloway, a multidisciplinary team addressing non-pharmacological management of stress and distress in dementia, were not only winners in the "Practice Excellence in Dementia" category, but were also "Practice of the Year" overall winners. The picture shows the occupational therapists who work with nursing, psychology and other colleagues in the team.