Scots commended for improving lives of babies and children

ORGANISATIONS and individuals from across Scotland have been commended for their work to improve the lives of babies, children, young people and their families.

HMP Shotts Prison Dad's Group won award. Picture: Contributed

The Quality Improvement Awards are the first of their kind in Scotland, and have been designed to celebrate and showcase the range of quality improvement initiatives taking place across the length and breadth of Scotland to make services the best they can.

HMP Shotts Dads Group won for their Understanding Your Child Parenting Programme which resulted in 80% of dads who attended having a greater understanding of their children’s behaviour.

NHS Lothian was named as Top Team for boosting incomes of low income pregnant women in Leith.

Bannockburn High School was given Most Inspiring or Innovative Project Award for raising the aspiration, confidence and attainment of pupils in the school,

And a midwife from NHS Lanarkshire was named as Quality Improvement Champion,

The judging panel for the awards consisted of Susan Hannah (Quality Improvement Lead Scottish Government), Jason Leitch (Clinical Director, Scottish Government) and Bernie McCulloch (Improvement Advisor, Maternity and Children Quality Improvement Collaborative, Scottish Patient Safety Programme, Healthcare Improvement Scotland).

Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald said: “Congratulations to all the winners from the Quality Improvement Awards and a huge thank you to all who participated. I was extremely impressed by the level of innovation displayed and the commitment to improving outcomes for children and families from all of those involved.

“The Quality improvement Awards has provided me with the opportunity to see just how important Quality Improvement work is in making life better and brighter for children and families across Scotland.”

Dr Dame Denise Coia, Chair of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “It was truly inspiring to see so much enthusiasm from staff working across the public sector for improving the lives of babies, young people and their families.

“The commitment of people and organisations across Scotland has been wonderful to see. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees who have shown such dedication to making Scotland the best place to grow up.”

Speaking of the awards, Bernie McCulloch, said: “The QI Awards celebrate and recognise the hard work of people and organisations across Scotland who help to give children the best start in life, with equal opportunities to thrive, learn and succeed.

“All the improvement projects highlighted in these awards aim to make services the best they possibly can be, so we can reduce inequalities and get it right for every child.

“The range of initiatives taking place across Scotland is extraordinary and we commend all the winners and all those nominated for their ingenuity and commitment to babies, children, young people and their families.”

Cheryl Clark, Improvement Advisor Midwife in NHS Lanarkshire, won Quality Improvement Champion Award for teaching quality improvement by example and strengthening quality improvement in the neonatal unit.

Cheryl introduces fun and innovative ways to demonstrate data with her patient safety boards and newsletters, and has created social media forums for midwives to communicate aspects of the safety work.