The first ever Fife Director of Public Health’s Awards were presented by the Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison, at the Public Health Conference ‘Living & Learning for Health’ at Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline held on 8th May 2008.

Around 200 delegates from a broad range of backgrounds, including statutory and voluntary sectors across Fife attended the inaugural Public Health Conference to learn about public health work, share good practice and acquire new knowledge and skills for their daily work.

During the morning, as well as the presentation of awards, the delegates watched a presentation by the Bell Baxter High School Theatre Group which focussed on a ‘well world’ and have been participating in workshops to gain more of an understanding of the public health issues that are being dealt with on a daily basis. 

In the afternoon the delegates were treated to an interactive demonstration by the 60 minute kid, a ‘keep-fit’ project which travels throughout Fife’s schools.

Director of Public Health Awards

There were two categories for the first ever Director of Public Health Awards in Fife, ‘Public Health Activity’ and ‘Public Health Champion’.  Dr Gina Radford said, “We received a total of 25 nominations for the awards which is above what we had anticipated. All the nominations were of a high calibre, and all worthy of nomination.”

A multi-agency panel, consisting of Jim McGoldrick, Chair NHS Fife; Bryan Poole, CVS Fife; Eric Byiers, Fife Council; Harry Black, Head of Health Promotion NHS Fife; Dr Jackie Hyland, Consultant in Public Health Medicine NHS Fife; and Dr Gina Radford, Director of Public Health NHS Fife, judged the nominations for the awards.

The winners were presented with a certificate and engraved glass trophy by Shona Robison. 

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:

“Throughout the NHS, there are many people working tirelessly to improve the lives and health of others. The value which these people bring to people’s lives cannot be underestimated.

“By going the extra yard, by being that friendly face, by working as a team – they are making a difference. It’s that special effort which today’s awards recognise. I am delighted to be here to present these awards and to celebrate Fife’s public health champions who are helping us to move towards a healthier Scotland.”

The winner of the award for ‘Public Health Activity’ was the Aberlour Play Peace Project which is an innovative and exciting project in the regeneration areas of Kirkcaldy and Dysart, where primary school children are encouraged to play fairly, respectfully and feel included in the playground.

The winner of the ‘Public Health Champion’ award was Sheona McHale.  Sheona has worked with cardiac  rehabilitation staff as a volunteer beginning at a time when she was self employed with a young family. She developed herself academically and now lectures in the sports department of Adam Smith College. She has continued to give her time freely every week and takes her role very seriously, and has now been with the cardiac rehab team for 12 years.

A special award was also presented to Chief Constable Peter Wilson for his outstanding contribution to public health work throughout Fife.

Sheona’s colleagues say that “although she doesn’t see herself as special, we in the team and the patients certainly do.  It has been an honour and a privilege to work with Sheona. She has made a real difference to patients and carers lives”.

In addition to the winners, 7 certificates were also presented to highly commended nominations.