Vote for Glasgow Caledonian’s life-changing Honorary Fellow in Scottish Health Awards

Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health and Life Sciences Honorary Fellow Janice McClymont is one of six unsung NHS heroes nominated for the People’s Choice Award in this year’s Scottish Health Awards.

She is Head of Profession in the Occupational Therapy Services at the University’s partner health board NHS Lanarkshire, and countless people have had their lives changed for the better thanks to the hard work and skill of occupational therapists, led by Janice.

The University is proudly sponsoring two categories in this year’s Scottish Health Awards with the School of Health and Life Sciences backing the Paramedic Award and the School’s Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) supporting the Leader of the Year Award.

Professor Anita Simmers, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences, Co-Director of ReaCH Professor Frederike van Wijck and Professor of Occupational Therapy Katrina Bannigan are all delighted that Janice is in the running for this top award and are urging everyone to vote for her.

Voting is now open for the People’s Choice Award and will close at 23:59 on October 10.  The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 2 in Edinburgh. You can vote online via the website or by calling 07552 268187 and leaving a voice message on who you would like to vote for.

Janice, who has nearly 40 years’ experience, said: “It is a real honour to be nominated for this award on this special 75th anniversary of the NHS. I’ve had the privilege of working with, and learning from, many inspirational people throughout my career, and to be considered worthy of this nomination whilst doing a job that I love is completely overwhelming.  Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to vote.  Your support is truly appreciated.”

She is responsible for the development of the children and adults service in Lanarkshire, managing a 260-strong team of allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, nurses and psychology staff.

Professor Simmers said: “Janice’s strategic leadership has fostered an academic partnership between the occupational therapy teams here at the University and NHS Lanarkshire, and her tireless commitment to our students has seen growth and innovation in placement provision.”

Professor van Wijck added: “Janice has brought her exemplary leadership to the co-creation of the NHS Lanarkshire Rehabilitation Strategy, working with a wide group of stakeholders, to ensure that rehabilitation is based on best evidence and designed to meet everyone’s rehabilitation needs. Janice’s work exemplifies our endeavour to improve health and wellbeing for all, and we encourage all our colleagues at GCU to vote for Janice.”

Professor Bannigan said: “Janice is an exceptional leader whose vision for occupational therapy inspires high quality care for the people NHS Lanarkshire serves. She also inspires student education, innovation in practice and research to ensure future services continue to be excellent. We are proud to work with her as a partner and we are not surprised that she has been nominated for this award.”

The Scottish Health Awards are the most prestigious and recognised awards run by the Daily Record in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government. This year’s People’s Choice Award specifically recognises those amazing people who have dedicated much of their working life and have made – and continue to make a significant contribution to our NHS. Read the story in the Daily Record about Janice and the other unsung heroes who have been nominated for this award here.