Excellence and innovation recognised in award finalists

Published: Thursday 30 October 2025

This image contains the words Scotland's Health Awards at the side and has two photos, one of the team at Blantyre Life and the other of the team at David Walker Gardens

The excellence and innovation of health and social care services and staff in South Lanarkshire have once again been recognised.

Two local teams have been named as finalists in this year’s prestigious Scotland’s Health Awards.

Blantyre LIFE, shortlisted for the Integrated Care Award, is transforming how integrated care is delivered in South Lanarkshire. This pioneering housing and care campus combines clinical expertise with community-based support to help people recover and regain independence after a health crisis. In its first full year, the service supported more than 200 individuals through intermediate care and reablement, reducing average stays from 44 to just 27 days.

Also recognised is David Walker Gardens Care Home in Rutherglen, shortlisted for the Care for Mental Health Award. The team has introduced an innovative communication system using familiar television technology to enable simple, one-touch video calls, photo sharing and messaging. This approach has supported almost 500 video calls, reducing loneliness, easing anxiety and helping residents maintain meaningful connections with loved ones across the globe.

Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Social Work Resources Committee, said: “These nominations reflect the high standards and unwavering dedication of our workforce. Their efforts to deliver compassionate, high-quality services make a profound difference every day and this recognition is richly deserved.”

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care added: “These nominations highlight the outstanding efforts of our staff and partners in creating innovative, person-centred solutions. From shifting the balance of care at Blantyre LIFE to the compassionate use of technology at David Walker Gardens, their work is improving outcomes and quality of life for the people we serve.

“We are proud of their commitment and extend our sincere thanks to all our teams who continue to work tirelessly for Lanarkshire.”

The Scotland’s Health Awards will take place in Edinburgh on 6 November 2025. For full details on all the finalists visit Scotland's Health Awards website.