WHO has been your NHS hero? That’s the question Redditch MP Rachel Maclean wants an answer to as she calls for nominees to enter the NHS Parliamentary Awards in recognition of staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
The awards offer a chance to celebrate NHS staff, carers and volunteers for all the hard work they do to look after loved ones when they are at their most vulnerable.
Coronavirus has been a global health emergency on a scale not seen for a century.
The NHS responded swiftly and flexibly to deal with the pandemic while maintaining other urgent care, but staff – present, past and future – have had to come together as never before, supported by volunteers and the public.
Staff are continuing to go above and beyond for patients as they work to reduce the Covid backlog by providing 17 million extra diagnostic tests over the next three years.
The Alexandra Hospital is playing its part in this effort thanks to a mobile MRI scanner and mobile CT scanner to ensure patients are seen more quickly.
So many staff have worked tirelessly to put patients first, and this is something that the awards aim to recognise and reward.
As part of the NHS’s 74th birthday this year, the NHS will once again be looking to celebrate those who have gone the extra mile to support patients.
Mrs Maclean is now searching for outstanding nominees for the 2022 Awards who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how the health and care system provides care for patients.
“As the daughter of an NHS doctor, I have always been in awe of everyone who works in our National Health Service,” she said.
“The stories I hear from local health services, in particular the Alexandra Hospital, make me incredibly proud of the fact that Redditch is home to people willing to provide such fantastic care to our most vulnerable residents.
“NHS staff, volunteers and carers make a true difference to the lives of their patients, and I want to recognise those individuals and teams at this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards.
“I want to hear from you about any outstanding care you have received in the last year so that I can nominate our local heroes for these awards.”
She is calling for potential nominations in the following categories:
The Excellence in Healthcare: This award recognises individuals or teams who go above and beyond to improve outcomes and experiences for patients living with and beyond major health conditions or work to prevent them.
The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award: To the individual or team that has worked across organisational boundaries to develop new and effective services to help people living with mental health problems in their community.
The Covid Response Award: The brand new Covid Response Award is for any individual or team who have met the challenges of the pandemic with creativity and innovation to provide the best care possible for their patients.
The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: To the individual or team that has made improvements to how the NHS treats people in life or death situations.
The Excellence in Primary Care and Community Care Award: As the needs of patients and the wider NHS evolves, so does the role of these professionals, and this award seeks to recognise practitioners and teams in primary or community care that are working with patients to help them stay healthy and avoid long stays in hospital or being admitted in the first place.
The Future NHS Award: This award seeks to highlight individuals, teams and organisations that are successfully embracing the opportunities that come from advances in medical technology, data, and connectivity.
The Health Equalities Award: This award is for an individual or organisation that has helped the NHS to do its bit by bringing together different groups and organisations to reduce health inequalities and prevent ill health in different communities
The Nursing and Midwifery Award: This award is for any nurse or midwife, that has used their skills to ensure that patients experience care and compassion. This award is also open to any one of the thousands of student midwives, nurses, AHPs and medical students who started their careers early to support the NHS’ response to coronavirus.
The NHS Rising Star Award: This award looks to celebrate younger members of staff, volunteers or members of the public who give up their time, lend their experiences and deliver better services for themselves and others in their area.
The Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is for an individual who has worked within a health or care setting for 40 years or more who has left a legacy.
For more information visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-parliamentary-awards/how-to-nominate
