Nominations are now open for Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards

The awards, created to recognise the talent and dedication of those heroes who work in the industry, are run by Newsquest's Worcestershire titles, including the Droitwich & Bromsgrove Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser and The Shuttle as well as Worcester News, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal.

Just one week after launching the awards we have already received around 50 nominations.

The aim of the awards is to champion those teams and individuals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for people during the Covid pandemic.

There are 12 categories and finalists will be chosen by a panel of experts and the winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony broadcast live on our website and social media channels in May.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has backed the awards by becoming a partner, and we are calling out to other organisations to sponsor the awards to show their appreciation for the county's health and care workers.

Stephanie Preece, editor of the Bromsgrove Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser and The Shuttle said: "There has never been a better time to honour the amazing work our social and healthcare professionals do - week in, week out in Worcestershire.

"I'm so excited to be helping to launch these awards at a time when we are truly grateful for the care and professionalism of our social and healthcare workers."

The 12 award categories are:

•The Health Care Team Award

We want to hear about teams working together to deliver improved patient care. They can be from any sector but must demonstrate impact, very strong team working, strong communication, and the ability to work across organisational boundaries.

•The Care Hero Award

This award recognises that all our care workers in Worcestershire are heroes. Care workers make a difference to people’s lives every day and this award celebrates that. Do you know a care worker who has worked hard to enable someone to live an independent, safe and fulfilled life? Have they helped to change someone’s life for the better? It is these everyday stories about how our care workers make a difference (big or small) that the judges want to hear.

•The Care Home Worker Award

This award recognises the contribution of an individual home care worker who strives to improve the delivery of care in the care home sector through developing ways to enhance nursing care. This person must demonstrate outstanding evels of commitment to care and put the person being cared for at the heart of what they do.

•The Care Trainer Award

This award is for outstanding work in care training. The judges want to hear about how the training adapted to meet the needs of service, about the quality of service given and the effectiveness of new training.

•The Health Care Employer Award

This award goes to the health care employer who can demonstrate strong commitment to employees without diminishing the care they provide. The winner will have a strong and loyal workforce, who feel valued and recognised for the contributions they make.

•Domiciliary Care Worker Award

This award is about celebrating the important work that the third sector and community teams do in health and care. Are you, or do you know someone who is; doing something new, something bold or different? Something new to you, new to the sector or a new way of tackling an age-old problem? Or do you know someone who just does what they do really, well?

•The Good Nurse Award

We are looking for a health care professional who demonstrates an innovative and caring approach to their work. This person must demonstrate outstanding levels of commitment to patient care and put the patient at the heart of what they do. Entrants can be from any health care profession, and can work anywhere, from community care to surgical theatres.

•Adolescent and Child Health Care Award

This award is open to an organisation, department and or individual carer/nurse/doctor/charity who specialises in the care and treatment of children and adolescents within Worcestershire. This can range from specialist paediatrics, mental health, social, emotional or behavioural support, along with those who offer assessments and intervention.

•The Dementia Carer Award

This award recognises the contribution of an individual care worker who strives to improve the delivery of care for those suffering with dementia. This person must demonstrate outstanding levels of commitment to care and put the person being cared for at the heart of what they do.

•The Palliative/ End of Life Care Award

An award for an individual or team that recognises how choices made by the person being cared for and their family is central to the service and care that is delivered. This involves reflecting fully on what is important to the person at the end of their life. The judges will be looking for a carer or team who demonstrate what it takes to support clients and their families with care as well as psychological, social and spiritual support.

•The Mental Health Award

This award is open to a department or individual carer/nurse/doctor who specialises in the care and treatment of mental health in Worcestershire. Good mental health is now recognized as a vital component to good overall health and we would like to hear how the care and support in this sector has improved the lives of the individual and their families.

•GP Practice of the Year Award

We are looking for a GP practice in Worcestershire that stands out for the level of care they provide. Have you received great service? Has a doctor or practice nurse gone above or beyond the call of duty, or has the receptionist always greeted you with a smile and a friendly word? This award recognises the contribution of everyone in the GP practice in providing a good service to patients, where staff have gone the extra mile when treating you or someone you know.

To nominate a health or social care worker fill out a form by clicking here.

Please note nominations can only be accepted by filling out this form online.

Any business or organisation interested in sponsoring an award can email stephanie.preece@newsquest.co.uk