MPs and NHS leaders in North East and Yorkshire have joined forces to honour health and care staff who have helped to improve treatment for patients in the regional round of the NHS Parliamentary Awards.

The coronavirus pandemic, the greatest public health challenge in the NHS history has prompted a record number of nominations from MPs across the country who have sought to shine a light on the dedication of nurses, midwives, GPs, physios, pharmacists, healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, and countless other staff who have contributed to the unprecedented response.

The judges, drawn from across the NHS have today selected the 10 regional winners who have been selected from over 116 nominations, one in each of the 10 categories.

Dr Jonathan Slade, Deputy Medical Director for NHS England and NHS Improvement in the North East and Yorkshire, said: “I was impressed by the high standard of all entries from the North East and Yorkshire this year and choosing between the dozens of teams and individuals who all go above and beyond, to go forward and represent our region, has been incredibly difficult. I wish our champions the very best of luck in the national heats and we will be rooting for them on the day.”

The ten regional champions selected by an expert NHS panel are:

• The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award (supported by Lloyds Banking Group): Connect, The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Eating disorders service nominated by Alex Sobel MP
• The Excellence in Health Care Award: The Active Against Cancer Team Organisation, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust nominated by Andrew Jones MP

• The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: Hearts in Little Hands, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust nominated by Robbie Moore MP
• The Excellence in Primary Care Award (supported by Assura plc): NHS North Lincolnshire CCG nominated by Holly Mumby-Croft MP
• The Future NHS Award: Older Person Care Home Team, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust nominated by Julie Elliott MP
• The NHS Rising star Award (supported by Fujifilm UK): Emily Lane, Leeds Teaching Hospitals nominated by Hilary Benn MP
• The Care and Compassion Award (supported by LV=): The Relatives’ Line, Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust nominated by Jason McCartney MP
• The Health Equalities Award: The Viral Hepatitis Team, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust nominated by Hilary Benn MP
• The Wellbeing at Work Award: The Future You Programme, Leeds Teaching Hospitals nominated by Hilary Benn MP
• The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr John Corlett, The Scott Practice, Sheffield nominated by Rosie Winterton DBE MP

The full list of regional winners can be found here.

These regional champions will now go head to head with other winners from across the country to be judged by a national panel made up of senior leaders representing staff and patients, for the chance to win the prestigious national award which will be presented at a special ceremony in the House of Commons on the 7 July.

England’s Chief Midwife and chair of the national judging panel this year, Professor Jaqueline Dunkley Bent, said: “A huge congratulations to all those who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the NHS as well as making a genuine difference to the patients they care for.

“NHS staff and volunteers make the health service what it is today – the largest and greatest care team in the world.

“This year more than ever, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the 1.3 million-strong army of nurses, midwives, doctors, physios, pharmacists, healthcare and maternity care assistants porters, cleaners, and countless other staff who ensured no patient who could benefit from NHS care was unable to receive it. 

“It will be a tough task selecting our overall winners – I look forward to hearing more about their fantastic achievements and celebrating with them all at the national award ceremony.”