Nine healthcare professionals and teams from across Ayrshire and Arran have been announced as finalists at the Scottish Health Awards 2014.

The nominees fought off stiff competition from across the country to secure their place at this year’s glittering award ceremony in November.

Geraldine Butcher, Consultant Midwife at University Hospital Crosshouse has been shortlisted for the Services to Women and Children Award in recognition of over 30 years of service to maternity healthcare. Throughout her career Geraldine has been an advocate for women and midwives through her roles as clinical development manager, supervisor of midwives and most recently as a consultant midwife.

Sandra Bogle and her team, at the Lister Centre, University Hospital Crosshouse are also in the running for an accolade. The heart failure team have been shortlisted for the Care for Long-Term Illness Award to celebrate their achievements in providing a safe, effective and patient centred approach to treating people with heart failure.

The full list of finalists from Ayrshire and Arran are: Care for Long-Term Illness Award: Sandra Bogle and team, Cardiac Liaison, Lister Centre, University Hospital Crosshouse Care for Long-Term Illness Award: Fiona Clark and Paediatric Diabetes Team Integrated Care for Older People Award: Frail Older Person's Pathway, University Hospital Crosshouse Services to Women & Children Award: Geraldine Butcher, Consultant Midwife, Ayrshire Maternity Unit, University Hospital Crosshouse Healthier Lifestyle Award: Dr Helen Lynn, Clinical Director, NHS Ayrshire & Arran Learning Disability Services Team Unsung Hero Award: Keith Mason, Gymnasium and Health Improvement Manager, HMP Kilmarnock Health in the Workplace Award: North Ayrshire Women's Aid Health in the Workplace Award: EDF Energy, Hunterston Power Station Health in the Workplace Award: Spirit Aerosystems, Prestwick International Airport Liz Moore, Director for Acute Services at NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: “I am delighted to congratulate our finalists on reaching the final stage of the Scottish Health Awards. Their hard work and dedication to enhancing patient services is an example of all our staff’s commitment to provide the best possible care for our patients.

“I wish them the best of luck at the final award ceremony.” Finalists in the Innovation Award category also include NHS Education for Scotland, Scottish Patient Safety Programme and Healthcare Improvement Scotland for the National Early Warning Score Sepsis Screening Tool, and NHS24 for the Living it Up programme, empowering people in Western Isles, Forth Valley, Lothian, Moray and Highland and Argyll & Bute to improve their health and wellbeing.

Moira Carter, Head of Donor Services at Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (NHS National Services Scotland) has also been named as a finalist in the Leading and Managing for Quality Award, in recognition of her work in leading a strategic programme to transform the blood donation experience for donors.

Every year, the Scottish Health Awards recognise and reward the dedicated NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go the extra mile to provide outstanding patient care.

The winners of the Scottish Health Awards 2014 will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony on 6 November 2014 at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.

To view the full list of finalists, or for more information, please visit www.scottishhealthawards.com