Last chance to put forward health and care heroes for NHS awards
The country’s top nurse is today urging people across the country to nominate outstanding health and care staff to be celebrated in this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards, as the national judging panel is announced.
The NHS kicked off its search to celebrate and give national recognition to staff who go above and beyond the call of duty, and are key to delivering the NHS Long Term Plan, at a House of Commons launch in March.
The national judging panel, to be led by England’s chief nurse Ruth May, will include a leading GP and advocates for young people, patients and carers.
MPs have until midnight on 26 April to submit nominations for this prestigious award ceremony before they are put forward for consideration by national judges.
On leading the search for the country’s top health and care staff, Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said: “I am delighted to be a part of this year’s panel and am looking forward to hearing stories of excellence that happen all day and every day, right across our NHS as we deliver our Long Term Plan for the health service.
“Nurses, midwives and carers are among the millions of staff who make the NHS what it is today, so if you haven’t already done so I would encourage anyone who has seen or received outstanding care to put forward nominations to their MP, and give our local NHS staff the national recognition they deserve.”
Working with top Nurse Ruth May, are leaders from across the health and care sector:
- Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK
- Professor Helen Stokes Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners
- Yvonne Coghill (NHSE and RCN)
- Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association
- Ethan McLaughlin, Youth Cancer Advocate
- Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK
MPs are searching for and want to hear from outstanding individuals in their local area who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how the health service provides care for patients.
Ethan McLaughlin, youth cancer advocate, said: “I am really honoured to be part of the panel. As a patient, I am extremely grateful to be able give back to the amazing people – within the NHS and more widely – who make amazing and inspiring actions every day to help to get people like me back on their feet, or help us get through the days at our time of greatest need. I look forward to hearing what I am sure to be the inspirational nominations that we receive from MP’s from across the country.”
Yvonne Coghill, NHS director for the Workforce Race Equality Standard, the programme which is working to improve fair treatment for all staff across the NHS, and vice president of the royal college of nursing, said: “The NHS Parliamentary Awards are an important opportunity to ensure that health and care staff of every discipline and background are recognised by MPs for their outstanding leadership, skills and contribution.
“Every day across the NHS you make a huge difference to the lives of the people you care for and so it is only right that MPs champion the great work in our communities.”
Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, the UK’s only national membership charity for unpaid carers, said: “Health and care workers play an essential role supporting the NHS and the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers looking after loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill.
“The NHS Parliamentary Awards is an important opportunity to highlight the brilliant work staff and volunteers do day in, day out, to support families and friends. I hope to see nominations for individuals and teams going above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of carers as well as patients.”
Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, the country’s foremost voice for people who use health and care services, said: “The NHS Parliamentary Awards are a chance to celebrate the NHS staff, carers and volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty to deliver the very best for patients – as chief executive of the patients association I am committed to championing initiatives that help people get the health and care they need and ensuring patients voices are heard in how they are delivered.
“So, I am excited to see this year’s entries and would urge everyone who has seen, received or delivered outstanding care first hand, to send nominations to their MP and give our local staff the national recognition they deserve.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “This is a great opportunity for MPs to find out more about health and care in their areas and to connect with some of the wonderful people who deliver it to their constituents and make such a positive difference to their lives. The awards are really wide-ranging, reflecting the diversity of professions and organisations that contribute across the system, and I really am looking forward to seeing the nominations and to meeting the eventual winners in a few months time.”
The awards were created to celebrate NHS staff, carers and volunteers – their hard work, innovative ideas and unwavering efforts to put patients first.
Individuals and teams will be key to delivering the Long Term Plan, by leading improvements on major conditions including cancer, mental health and stroke, helping to make the NHS fit for the future.