A TEAM of nurses specialising in blood-borne viruses (BBV) in West Dunbartonshire has won an NHS award for their work.

Before the BBV team was set up in the area six years ago, patients had to travel to Gartnavel for treatment for Hepatitis C and only about 10 per cent of patients attended their appointments.

Many have very complex needs and couldn't make the journey for different reasons, and the new service has improved attendance significiantly.

One patient said: “It made a big difference and actually made me go through with my treatment. If I couldn’t make it for any reason they would come to my home. It’s basically made me want to live again.”

The BBV team was given a "gold" prize at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Chairman's Awards bash last week.

Meanwhile, the Project SEARCH team and Care at Home Services in West Dunbartonshire won silver awards on the night.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Chairman, John Brown said: "This is the eighth year of the Chairman’s Awards and once again this year we have had so many fantastic entries across the range of categories.

"This year there are three winners in each of the categories - two silver and one gold - but we could have selected a dozen winners in each such was the quality of the entries.

“It is extremely encouraging, not just for myself and the rest of the Board, the senior management team of NHSGGC and the Scottish NHS as it showcases the true quality of our workforce and their commitment to delivering the very best in patient care.”