The NHS has today (4 March) launched the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2020, to celebrate and give national recognition to staff who go above and beyond the call of duty.

The awards were created to celebrate NHS staff, carers and volunteers – their hard work, innovative ideas and unwavering efforts to put patients first, and this year – during the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife – the health service is putting the work of these professionals in particular, up in lights.

World class staff and teams are critical to the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan, leading improvements on major conditions including cancer, mental health and stroke, helping to make the NHS fit for the future.

Members of Parliament are now searching for nominations to submit 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.

Dr Nigel Sturrock, Medical Director at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands said:  “The NHS has a fantastic team that provides high quality care to patients throughout the year.  And that’s thanks to its staff and volunteers.

“We want MPs in the Midlands to nominate some of this great work for the NHS Parliamentary Awards.”

Siobhan Heafield, Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, added:  “2020 is the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, which recognises the profession and the care that nurses and midwives offer to patients.

“It would be a fitting thank you for those that have received high quality care from nurses and midwives, as well as other NHS staff across the health service, to send nominations to their MP to ensure that staff receive the recognition they deserve.”

The Parliamentary Awards 2020 sponsored by Fujifilm, launches in Parliament this week (March 4th) and all those who are shortlisted for excellence will be invited to an award ceremony in Parliament to celebrate their fantastic achievements.

There are 10 categories, including a Lifetime Achievement award to honour those who have devoted their life or career to making the NHS better, both for patients and those who work within it.

Yoshitaka Nakamura, Managing Director of Fujifilm UK, Headline Sponsor for the Awards, said:  “We have nothing but admiration for the NHS and those who work in it, alongside it and support it – and we are proud to again sponsor the NHS Parliamentary Awards in 2020.

As an organisation, Fujifilm exists to improve and enhance the quality of life of people around the world, and we are excited to learn about and celebrate the many examples of excellence, care, compassion and innovation in the NHS that shine through MPs nominations.”

Last year over 200 Members of Parliament nominated an individual or organisation for an award.

There were 112 nominations from MPs in the Midlands last year.

In total there were over 600 nominations from MPs in England.