Healthcare Bursary

TWENTY-THREE years since it first began, the Insurance Corporation Healthcare Bursary has returned to encourage HSSD staff to explore projects that enhance health and social care provision in the islands.

Staff with projects deemed most beneficial to the island, have a chance to win £2,000 or £1,000 to further their ideas.

The bursary started in 1991 with Sandra James taking the top prize for her project regarding alcohol abuse in the islands. Since then a variety of entries relating to bereavement, information provision, mental health, cancer care and several social care projects have received the bursary.

‘Working with HSSD for such a length of time for the benefit of the department and the island as a whole is something of which Insurance Corporation is very proud. Being able to take part in the judging process and celebrate with entrants and past winners at our presentation day is a real highlight in our year,’ said Insurance Corporation managing director, Glyn Smith.

Last year’s top prize of £2,000 was awarded to head of the Children’s Dental Service Sarah Lyle and oral health educator/ dental nurse Helen Long. Their project was to introduce a supervised tooth-brushing programme to be piloted in two pre-schools for the three-plus-year-old children. It is hoped that increasing frequency and quality of tooth brushing will reduce the cases of dental decay – one of the world’s most prevalent childhood diseases.

The 2013 runner-up was Health Promotion manager Yvonne Le Page, she received a £1,000 prize for her entry, to fund a pilot ‘DIY Happiness’ project, an eight-week course for women looking at all aspects of improving mental health through practical activities.

‘HSSD is delighted that ICCI continue to support its staff with financial help to develop health and social care projects and ideas. The number and quality of the projects developed since ICCI have been involved is to be commended. We are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity and I would encourage anyone thinking about a project to have a go,’ said Richard Evans, HSSD director corporate services and deputy chief officer.

Entry forms are available from here and the HSSD human resources team and must be returned by Wednesday 8 October 2014. A selection panel will meet on 23 October 2014 to hear more about the projects from shortlisted candidates. The presentation will take place midday on 6 November 2014.