A leading heart failure nurse from Stornoway has reached the final stages of the prestigious Scottish Health Awards.

Debra Vickers has been short-listed for the Heart Care Award for helping set up a heart failure service for local patients. 

The service has grown to over 100 clients from across the Western Isles since its setup in 2007. 

Debra has introduced and applied training schemes and built a dedicated team of two part-time nurses and administrative support staff. 

The new heart failure service has been praised by local consultants and GPs who can now refer patients for expert treatment and advice. 

Debra and her team will join the other finalists at a glamorous gala award ceremony in Edinburgh on November 11 where the winners will be unveiled. 

As well as being in with a chance of snapping up an award all of the finalists will receive a donation to their nominated charity, with over £30,000 being donated.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson stated: “I’m delighted to hear that a well deserving member of our staff has been short-listed for the finals of this prestigious awards ceremony. This itself is special recognition, and an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all those in the NHS who go that extra mile.

“I look forward to hearing about the special individual contributions made by the healthcare workers across Scotland who have been nominated for awards, and would like to wish our local finalist every success.”

The Scottish Health Awards help acknowledge the hard work, professionalism and devotion of those who work in and with NHS Scotland to provide quality healthcare and treatments.