City departments in running for top public service awards

Health and social care and road services have both been nominated for awards from the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE).

The health and social care department has been nominated in the best public/voluntary partnership working section for its Edinburgh Community Stroke Service, which supports people aged between 16 and 65 after a stroke.

The project led to 50 per cent of clients being able to return to full-time employment following discharge from hospital and five out of seven clients working part-time returned to work.

The gully repairs section in the road services team has made the shortlist of the best efficiency category for improving customer service and making efficiencies that reduced administration time by 80 per cent, saving around 700 hours of staff time. Staff engagement and improved working practice also led to a better response time for gully repairs.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "I would like to congratulate all the staff involved for their hard work and enthus- iasm."