Scotland's Health Awards 2026: Nominate your 'unsung hero' for the readers' choice award
The awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of individuals and teams
It is once again time for readers to help honour those individuals and teams who have made an outstanding contribution to our health service over the past year.
Scotland’s Health Awards 2026, hosted by The Scotsman in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, will be held on November 12 at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.
These awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of those who go above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high quality health and social care to the people of Scotland.
Over 400 guests from across Scotland are expected to attend the glittering awards ceremony to see the awards being handed out. Amongst the awards is the coveted readers’ choice award, voted on by readers of The Scotsman themselves.
This award is designed to recognise individuals, groups and teams who in the course of doing their job have made a real difference to the people of Scotland, but whose work often goes unrecognised.
We are asking readers to tell us about a person or a group they know who are willing to go that extra mile for the sake of others.
The winner will follow in the footsteps of last year’s recipient of the readers’ choice award - the HMP Stirling healthcare team at NHS Forth Valley.
The HMP Stirling healthcare team was given the accolade for delivering compassionate, integrated care to vulnerable individuals in a challenging prison setting.
Their person-centred, trauma-informed approach is said to have transformed lives, promoted recovery, and ensured community reintegration for the prisoners they worked with.
On receiving the award, the team behind the health awards said their dedication and innovation embodied the meaning of true unsung heroes, quietly making a profound, lasting impact beyond the prison walls.
Make your nominations here
While the public vote to decide which of the shortlisted nominees does not open until October, readers can start entering their nominations for the readers’ choice award now.
There are 16 awards up for grabs in total, all designed to recognise the frontline health and social care workers and celebrate those who work hard behind the scenes to make sure patients across the country get the highest level of care possible.
Health Secretary Angela Constance is hoping as many readers as possible get involved in this year’s awards.
She said: “These awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge our wonderful colleagues who work tirelessly day in, day out across our health and care service to deliver high quality and compassion - often under challenging and emotional circumstances.
“Scotland’s Health Awards are about recognising the extraordinary efforts that make a lasting difference to the lives of patients, families and communities.
“These awards give people the chance to say a heartfelt thank you - to express their gratitude for the care and kindness they’ve experienced.
“For staff and volunteers, it’s a powerful reminder that their work is valued and appreciated.
“Whether they’re on the frontline or in support roles, being recognised for the difference they make is incredibly special.
“I would encourage everyone to please take the time to nominate and say thank you on behalf of all of us.”
Go to www.scotlandshealthawards.co.uk to find out how to nominate for the awards.
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