Don Meegoda, Health Care Support Worker at Holy Rosary Care Home in Greenock, was named as a finalist for Nursing Support Worker of the Year.
The category is open to all nursing support workers, including nursing assistants, health care support workers, carers, and senior carers, who work as part of the nursing team.
The awards aim to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the care of patients or residents in their nursing support worker role.
Don was ‘highly commended’ and described as an ‘exceptional’ support worker in the RCN post announcing the winners.
Don Meegoda, Health Care Support Worker at Holy Rosary Care Home in Greenock, was named as a finalist the Nursing Support Worker of the Year category. (Image: RCN)
The post said: “[His] compassion, creativity, and leadership have transformed residents’ lives by improving mobility, confidence, and wellbeing through the evidence-based Strength and Balance Project.
“Working collaboratively with care staff, physiotherapists, families, and the Care Home Collaborative, Don has embedded person-centred, flexible exercise sessions into daily routines, fostering social connection, motivation, and inclusion while reducing falls and enhancing independence.
“His approach combines innovation, empathy, and teamwork, overcoming initial scepticism and integrating meaningful movement and engagement into everyday care, which has strengthened staff morale and built a sense of community.
“Don’s work has had measurable, lasting impact, inspiring other care homes, influencing best practice, and demonstrating the power of collaborative, outcomes-focused, person-centred care.”
RCN said the category finalists have proven their commitment to person-centred care, innovation and delivering high quality services that make a difference to the people receiving care.
They also demonstrate their work has benefited patients, clients, families and colleagues and how their work contributes to the delivery of local and national policy and strategy within health and social care.
The RCN Nurse of the Year Awards are designed to recognise, highlight, and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nursing staff across Scotland.
From rural communities to big cities, NHS to the independent sector, it looks for nominations that demonstrate the best of nursing.