“They have both received praise from patients and colleagues alike and we are very proud to have them as part of our NHS Orkney workforce.”

Two Health Care Support Workers, Carl Brooks and Harve Symonds from NHS Orkney are both in the running for national awards.

Carl Brooks was named as the Regional Winner (Scottish) for the 2019 Our Health Heroes Operational Support Worker of the Year. He now goes forward as a finalist in the National Awards for the Operational Services Support Worker of the Year at an Awards ceremony in London on 20 November.

Carl said:

“I was delighted to be nominated for the Our Health Heroes Operational Support Worker Award.  It is so nice to be recognised for the work I do which I really enjoy, and which doesn’t feel like work most of the time.  I enjoy meeting and interacting with the patients and staff and there is always something interesting happening on a daily basis.”

Harve Symonds  has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Young Achiever category at this year’s Scottish Health Awards.  She is one of three finalists in this category and the awards ceremony will take place in Edinburgh on 14 November.

Harve said:

 “To say I’m shocked would be an understatement to be named as a finalist in the Young Achiever category. I feel honoured to have been nominated for the award, never mind make the final three, and I feel it’s a real achievement considering I only started working for NHS Orkney as an apprentice 2 years ago.

“I would never be where I am today if it was not for my amazing colleagues, tutors and mentors who have continued to encourage and support me throughout my career as a Healthcare Support Worker and now as a Student Nurse. If I could inspire just one young person, like my colleagues have inspired me, then that in itself would be a great achievement.”

Commenting on the award nominations  Julie Colquhoun, Head of Corporate Services  NHS Orkney,  said:

“We are delighted for both Carl and Harve for their nominations in these prestigious awards.  They have both received praise from patients and colleagues alike and we are very proud to have them as part of our NHS Orkney workforce.

“We would like to wish Carl and Harve all the very best at the ceremonies on 14 and 20 November and we will have our fingers crossed for them both.”