Celebrating our unsung health heroes: why Glasgow Caledonian is backing Scotland’s Health Awards 2024
From physios and OTs to podiatrists, radiographers and dieticians, there are so many allied health professions to celebrate – as Glasgow Caledonian University know only too well.
As the top modern university and largest provider of healthcare professionals, Glasgow Caledonian is proud to sponsor the Allied Health Professional Award at Scotland’s Health Awards 2024 to acknowledge and celebrate our NHS heroes.
The University’s School of Health and Life Sciences (SHLS) is a centre of excellence for eight allied health profession disciplines, offering degree programmes in diagnostic radiography, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, orthoptics, paramedicine, physiotherapy, podiatry, and radiotherapy and oncology.
“As Scotland's leading provider of healthcare education, we play a pivotal role in developing the workforce for the future,” says the school’s Dean Professor Anita Simmers.
“The quality of teaching and professionalism of our students is helping to address current pressures on the NHS in Scotland and assisting in its recovery and remobilisation.
“We are incredibly proud of our allied health profession students who make such a remarkable contribution to the health of our nation, and that is why it is only fitting that we, at Glasgow Caledonian, recognise and celebrate all of these great professions through sponsoring the Allied Health Professional Award.”
Building the workforce of Scotland’s NHS
“Glasgow Caledonian admits more Scottish domiciled and widening participation students than any other Scottish higher education health school, which has driven a historically high contribution of our University to the workforce of Scotland’s NHS and we are very proud of that,” she adds.
Students say Glasgow Caledonian is the best place to prepare for a rewarding career in the allied health profession with its state-of-the-art simulation and virtual reality labs, and endless opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Fourth-year BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition and Dietetics student Kyle Kennedy, 21, from Caithness, is the first in his family ever to go to university.
He said his experience at Glasgow Caledonian has boosted his employability and confidence, and made him a stronger, better person, adding: “There is no doubt I’ve found my passion at Glasgow Caledonian. Every day is rewarding. I’ve been working on placement with stroke and neurological patients, and it’s so powerful when multiple allied health professionals work together to get the best possible outcome for patients.”
‘An extremely rewarding profession’
Third-year BSc (Hons) Podiatry student Rebecca Hall, 25, from Dumfries and Galloway, said joining Glasgow Caledonian was the best decision she ever made and is looking forward to a rewarding career as an allied health professional in the NHS.
She added: “I absolutely love it at Glasgow Caledonian, and it really is the best place to be for anyone thinking about becoming an allied health professional. Podiatry is such an important profession and it’s extremely rewarding. I would thoroughly recommend it.”
Nominate a health hero today
Scotland's Health Awards recognise all those that go that extra mile to improve the health and wellbeing of others, from frontline workers in health or social care to those working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Hosted by The Scotsman in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, they celebrate the incredible achievements of the individuals and teams who deliver such valued care to the people of Scotland.
If you want to nominate an allied health professional for an award, visit www.nationalworldevents.com/sha-2024
(School of Health and Life Sciences supporting the Allied Health Professional Award.