Judges at an annual NHS Scotland summit awarded the Special Integration Award to the West Dunbartonshire HSCP, which provides integrated support including district nursing, care at home provisions, care homes and Care at Home Pharmacy Services (CAPs), with crucial links to GPs and community pharmacies.

The HSCP beat competition from over 150 other entries to win the accolade.

Staff use their wide range of skills and knowledge to support people’s choices when dying, and also provide training and support to a wide range of health and social care staff in key aspects of palliative care to help deliver the best service possible.

Keith Redpath, chief officer of the West Dunbartonshire HSCP, said: “It is great that the work being done in West Dunbartonshire is being held up as an example to the rest of Scotland of how to approach the palliative care needs of residents in a joined up manner across health and social care services.

“This can be such a difficult and upsetting time in people’s lives and I am delighted that our approach to this care is receiving such credit, as I know how dedicated all the staff are when caring for residents at the end of their lives.”