News

South West health and care heroes to be honoured for Covid response in NHS Parliamentary Awards

MPs in the South West are busy nominating health service staff for their response to the Covid pandemic as part of the annual NHS Parliamentary Awards.

The category has been included for the first time in the awards in recognition of the tireless care and commitment NHS staff and volunteers have provided patients and their families.

Hospitals across the South West have treated more than 17,000 Covid patients since the Omicron wave began in November 2021, while the NHS working alongside volunteers and supported by other key workers have delivered more than 12,700 doses across the region by rolling out the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.

The new award is just one of 10 categories in the NHS Parliamentary Awards for staff and volunteers in the health service and care sector as the country adapts to living with Covid.

MPs can nominate outstanding individuals, teams or organisations from their constituency for the awards, which were launched in Parliament in March by NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard.

Michael Marsh, Medical Director for NHS England and NHS Improvement in the South West, said: “The Parliamentary Awards are an opportunity for MPs to recognise our incredible teams across the South West. They have pulled out all the stops to improve care while delivering the COVID vaccination programme and treating people who are in hospital with the virus.”

Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, said: “Covid has been the greatest challenge in the NHS’s history and our staff, supported by volunteers and partners in the care sector and wider public, have responded magnificently.

“The NHS Parliamentary Awards are here to recognise the dedication, innovation and can-do spirit staff have shown, not just in the face of this once in a generation pandemic.

“This is a chance for MPs to put a spotlight on nurses, doctors, therapists, porters, cleaners, cooks or other health and care staff who have gone above and beyond to deliver for patients and their families.

“It has been inspiring to witness the courage and innovation shown by staff across the country, as they worked together to innovate and adapt to the constantly changing demands posed by Covid and are now putting the same energy and commitment into recovery from the pandemic.”

This year there are 10 award categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rising Star Award and, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Covid Response Award.

The shortlist of regional winners will be announced on 13 June ahead of the winners ceremony in July.

All those who make the national shortlist will be invited to an award ceremony in Westminster to celebrate their achievements.

Since the awards began in 2018 over 450 Members of Parliament nominated an individual or organisation for an award. Last year, the NHS received over 500 nominations from MPs.

MPs are encouraged to reach out to their local health and care organisations, as well as members of the public, to seek nominations.

Steve Treloar, Chief Executive Officer, sponsors LV= General Insurance, said:  “We’re extremely proud to be sponsoring this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards. Since its foundation in 1948, the NHS has always worked incredibly hard to look after and protect the millions of us who need their help each and every year. At the heart of the NHS is its people and we are therefore delighted to be able to celebrate the rising stars of the NHS – those who among younger members of staff and volunteers are helping to shape the NHS for generations to come”.

Previous South West regional winners of the Parliamentary Awards have included a pro bono Community Clinic for Vulnerable Patients based at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise in Plymouth, which was presented with the Health Equalities Award following a nomination by Luke Pollard MP; Sam Walklett, Health and Wellbeing Project Manager at Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust in Swindon was recognised with The Wellbeing at Work Award, thanks to a nomination by Robert Buckland MP and Dr Giles Maskell, a Consultant Radiologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, nominated Cherilyn Mackrory MP, named with Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominations close at midnight on Wednesday 6 April 2022.

This year’s award ceremony features 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.

Nominations are made via MPs who nominate members of their constituency, who are staff, for awards in any or all of the 10 categories for the NHS Parliamentary Awards.

Last year’s regional winners were:

  • The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award (supported by Lloyds Banking Group): Mental Health Liaison team at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP
  • The Excellence in Health Care Award: Dr Scott Grier, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthesia at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP
  • The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: South West Critical Care Transfer Service, nominated by Jack Lopresti MP
  • The Excellence in Primary Care Award (supported by Assura plc): GP Community Pharmacist Consultation Service in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, nominated by Darren Jones MP.
  • The Future NHS Award: Rapid Deployment of CareFlow Connect and CareFlow Vitals (eObservations) at North Bristol NHS Trust, nominated by Darren Jones MP
  • The NHS Rising Star Award (supported by Fujifilm UK): Joshua Bell, Senior Nursing Assistant at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, nominated by John Penrose MP
  • The Care and Compassion Award (supported by LV=): Coln ward at Cirencester Hospital, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, nominated by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP
  • The Health Equalities Award: Community Clinic for Vulnerable Patients at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise in Plymouth, nominated by Luke Pollard MP
  • The Wellbeing at Work Award: Sam Walklett, Health and Wellbeing Project Manager at Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust in Swindon, nominated by Robert Buckland MP
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Giles Maskell, Consultant Radiologist at Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, nominated by Cherilyn Mackrory MP.