Top award for Falkirk learning disability nurse

News

A senior charge nurse working in Falkirk’s Learning Disabilities Team has picked up a top award.

Laura McCann has been awarded the Learning Disability Nursing Award at this year’s Nurse of the Year Awards.

The awards, run by the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, shine a spotlight on the best of nursing – to recognise, highlight and celebrate the dedication and outstanding professional care of nursing staff across Scotland.

Nominated by her colleagues, Laura has been recognised for her efforts leading a work programme to support people with a learning disability to develop healthy relationships. Launching an 8-week course and forming a Healthy Relationships Group, Laura’s work has helped raise the standards of services available and introduced suitable sexual health and relationship education for people with learning disabilities.

The new healthy relationship support uses interactive games and peer-to-peer learning in a safe and relaxed environment – helping people to understand complex and sensitive concepts in a way that is accessible to them.

Laura has ensured all the team’s work is rooted in strong evidence, working with sexual health nursing, local organisations who support gender-based violence sufferers, and NHS Scotland to produce guidance for practitioners.

Describing Laura’s value to local learning disability services, fellow colleague, Vicky Garvock said: “Change is no longer scary – through Laura’s lead we are all actively encouraged to flourish and grow our own ideas. She has empowered the team to strive for better and ensures that all of our work is rooted in strong evidence and best practice.”

“Laura is a true problem solver and always brings together partners and colleagues from across a range of services and organisations to ensure the people we support receive the highest standards of care.”

Laura was one of seven Forth Valley finalists across five other categories in the RCN Scotland Awards, with other local nominees including:

Praising Laura for her award win, Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director said: “Learning disability nurses are vital in ensuring people with learning disabilities maintain their health and wellbeing, and are able to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. Laura has gone above and beyond to reduce health inequalities and her success is well deserved”.

The winners of each award were announced at the RCN Scotland awards ceremony on 21 June 2023 at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

A full list of nominees and award category details can be found on the Royal College of Nursing website.