Royal Recognition for Falkirk health and social care staff

The extraordinary effort and dedication of health and social care staff from Falkirk and Forth Valley has been recognised in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The full List includes those who have worked throughout the crisis, putting others before themselves – from caring neighbours, frontline and community heroes, to those supporting the UK recovery.

In a year that has truly tested the resolve and determination of the country, almost 23% of recipients are recommended for COVID-19 service. These include recipients who have given charitable and voluntary support to communities, service in health and social care, and those who have provided critical infrastructure support.

Health and social care staff receiving recognition in Forth Valley include three members of Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s Home First Team:

Nicola Harvey
Awarded a BEM for services to Health and Social Care and the community during Covid-19
Nicola has been a valued member of the Home First team for 27 years, receiving a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to health and social care and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a key member of the Incident Response Team for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, while also continuing to undertake her duties as Home First manager.

Deborah Jackson
Awarded a BEM for services to Health and Social Care and the community during Covid-19
Debbie, from Bonnybridge, received a BEM for services to health and social care, and was one of the key members of the Home First Team which supports people to return home or to a homely setting as soon as possible following a hospital visit.

Claire Duffy
Awarded a BEM for services to Health and Social Care and the community during Covid-19
Also a Home First Practitioner within the Partnership’s Home First team, Claire has 25 years’ service working throughout Falkirk Council and health and social care services.

Commenting on the well-deserved recognition, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s Chief Officer, Patricia Cassidy said: “Each of these recipients have acted with integrity and compassion during the pandemic, underlining an unwavering commitment to their colleagues and the communities they serve.

“It is with utmost pride that I congratulate Nicola, Deborah, Claire, and Melanie on receiving recognition for their work, which is clearly a labour of love. It is an absolute joy to see these individuals approach challenges with such enthusiasm. Each holding specialist expertise and a strong work ethos, these individuals have been an asset to their teams, which they have supported through the most challenging of circumstances.

“All Partnership staff should take pride in these awards. They reflect our wider team effort and commitment from every member to support and care for the people of Falkirk.”

Pictured above: Claire Duffy and Deborah Jackson from the Home First Team. Image by Lisa Evans for Falkirk Council