Four colleagues and teams from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have been recognised in a national award for their dedication, innovation and contribution to nursing.
The team at HMYOI Lilias work to reduce health inequalities, support rehabilitation, enhance community reintegration and improve public safety.(Image: NHSGGC)
There are four finalists for the 2026 RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). The colleagues and teams have been recognised for their dedication, innovation and contribution to nursing in Scotland.
These awards recognise nursing practice across health and social care, from hospitals to care homes, prisons, community settings and the military, and honour registered nurses, nursing support workers, students and nursing teams who embody the ‘very best’ of nursing.
Tracy Downey who is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, is one of these nurses who has been recognised for her leadership through the Inspiring Excellence, Nursing Innovation and Research Award.
She is being recognised for her work, being a central figure in establishing the Cancer Older People’s Service (COPS) which is Scotland’s first occupational therapy-led frailty service within oncology. Her work has meant that patients are able to have more independence, reduced hospital admissions and the service has received 100% positive feedback from patients and families.
Tracy is also committed to the development of others by mentoring junior staff and promoting frailty awareness across multidisciplinary teams(Image: NHSGGC)
Tracy has helped integrate frailty‑focused, person‑centred care into cancer pathways. Her work addresses functional decline, cognitive impairment, psychosocial distress, falls risk and rehabilitation needs, which allows patients to stay safely at home, participate in treatment, and maintain quality of life.
As well as this Susan (Susie) Craig, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Respiratory and Learning Disability at Blythswood House, has been nominated for the Learning Disability Nursing Award.
Susie has transformed access to respiratory care for people with learning disabilities across the health service in Glasgow by bridging gaps and introducing tailored assessments, specialist clinics and pathways which allow people with learning disabilities easier access to respiratory care, this has resulted in reduced hospital admissions and improved quality of life for people needing the service.
Susie designed equipment that has prevented hospital admissions, lowered carer stress and resulted in improved quality of life for patients and families.(Image: NHSGGC)
She identified the barriers that affected the access to respiratory assessments, including difficulties with diagnostic tests and eligibility criteria which face people with learning disabilities, and collaborated with other healthcare workers to introduce adjustments and establish a specialist clinic that offers tailored hospital and home‑based care.
Daniel Doyle, from Glasgow is a Staff Nurse and volunteer with Glasgow Street Aid, has been shortlisted for People’s Choice Award for his exceptional compassion and support for people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health crises. He is widely praised for his respectful, person-centred approach.
Daniel works as a volunteer nurse with Glasgow Street Aid, and he provides frontline care to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, or mental health crises which are often late at night, in challenging environments. One patient described him as “the first nurse who ever made me feel like a person again.”
Daniel has been praised for treating every person with dignity and respect and offering reassurance beyond clinical care(Image: NHSGGC)
Daniel also mentors volunteers and students, modelling professionalism, empathy and best practice in emergency care. He works in both care and work’s with children with complex congenital heart conditions at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
The Nursing Team at HMYOI Lilias Centre has been nominated for the Mental Health Nursing Award, they gained this recognition for delivering trauma‑informed, gender‑specific care for women with complex health needs, supporting rehabilitation and community reintegration.
HMYOI Lilias is one of Scotland’s two Community Custody Units, and the UK’s first designed specifically for women, offering a trauma‑informed, gender‑specific and therapeutic environment as an alternative to traditional prisons.
The nursing team supports women with complex health and social needs, including chronic physical and mental health conditions, addiction issues and elevated sexual health risks.
The teams approaches include on‑site sexual health services, contraception consultations before the women are released and planning to ensure the patients are cared for after their release.
The team at HMYOI Lilias work to reduce health inequalities, support rehabilitation, enhance community reintegration and improve public safety.(Image: NHSGGC)
Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director for NHSGGC, said: “Huge congratulations to colleagues across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who have been announced as finalists for this year’s RCN Awards. Thank you for all the work that you do.
“I wish our nominees every congratulations now, and the very best of luck for the ceremony later this year.”
Julie Lamberth, RCN Scotland Board Chair, said: “Our Awards are a defining moment in the nursing calendar — a time to celebrate everything that makes our profession extraordinary in Scotland.
“Every one of our finalists stands as a shining example of the dedication, compassion, and commitment that drive the very best of nursing care for the people of Scotland.”
RCN Scotland Executive Director Colin Poolman added: “This is our opportunity to acknowledge the excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment of Scotland’s nursing community.
“I hope every finalist — and everyone who was nominated — feels the deep gratitude and admiration we all share for the incredible work they do.”