Tuesday June 17th 2025
Borders nurse, Rhona Morrison
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Borders nurse who is also a life-saver in her spare time has received national recognition for her dedication and expertise.
Rhona Morrison, NHS Borders Quality Improvement Facilitator, walked off with the People’s Choice Award at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland’s Nurse of the Year Awards last week.
Held last Thursday at the National Museum of Scotland, the awards ceremony celebrated the dedication, compassion and expertise of nursing staff from across the country.
Rhona’s award was won in recognition of her exceptional commitment both to NHS Borders and in her voluntary role with the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team.
With a nursing career spanning 38 years, most of which has been working in critical care, Rhona now leads quality improvement efforts focused on patient safety, including medication safety and governance and the early recognition and response to the deteriorating patient.
Alongside her work for NHS Borders, Rhona has volunteered for 15 years with the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team, where she helps respond to emergencies in often challenging and remote conditions.
Rhona plays a crucial role in providing medical support during call-outs and has also introduced vital mental health and well-being measures for her fellow rescuers.
Her tireless dedication has included continuing a rescue mission despite a fractured ankle and even delivering lambs during a call-out – showcasing the extraordinary range of her skills and commitment.
Rhona’s award win is a reflection not only of the profound difference nursing staff make every day in healthcare settings, but also in communities and voluntary services across Scotland.
Laura Jones, Director of Quality and Improvement at NHS Borders, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Rhona has been recognised at a national level by winning the RCN Scotland People’s Choice Award. The fact that she was nominated by members of the public makes this achievement even more special.
“Rhona truly stood out as winner for this award due to her humility, professionalism and the impact she has made on so many lives. I would like to extend my congratulations to Rhona on behalf of everyone at NHS Borders – we are all very proud of you and thankful for everything that you do.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
