After much deliberation the finalists of the 2021 Worcestershire Health & Social Care Awards have been revealed.

The awards were launched - in conjunction with the University of Worcester - earlier this year to recognise the talent and dedication of those heroes who work in the industry.

Run by Newsquest's Worcestershire titles, including the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette, Evesham Journal, The Shuttle, Droitwich & Bromsgrove Advertiser and Redditch Advertiser, 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.

In total an incredible 250 nominations were submitted and after much thought and consideration a panel of judges has decided on three finalists for each of the 11 categories.

The finalists are:

Adolescent & Child Health Care

  • Hollie Burfitt
  • Heidi Fearnall
  • Daniel Bennett

Care Hero

  • Clare Mankowski
  • Zoe Rira
  • Russell Wall

Care Home Worker

  • Martina Bray
  • Ann Reynolds
  • Brenda Grundy

Dementia Care

  • Rebecca Archer
  • Helen Driscoll
  • Karen Hancox

Domiciliary Care Worker

  • Jackie Edwards
  • Michaela Phillips
  • Nora Chiutare

Good Nurse

  • Amy Bentley
  • Nina Lealan
  • Yvonne Baker

GP Practice

  • Upton Surgery
  • Wolverley Surgery
  • Barn Close

Health Care Employer

  • Huw James
  • Sanctuary Care
  • Where Next

Health Care Team

  • Headway Worcestershire
  • Lawns Nursing Home
  • Abbotswood Medical Centre

Mental Health

  • Steven Walker
  • Worcester Triage
  • Primrose Hospice

Palliative / End of Life

  • St Richards Hospice
  • Burcot Lodge Care Home
  • Lawns Nursing Home

There will also be an overall winner - announced on the night.

Editor Stephanie Preece said: "We have been overwhelmed by the response to our appeal for nominations. You have told us stories of true professionalism, kindness and human spirit.

"The strength of the nominations have shown us how right we were to launch these awards so that we can shine a light on those who work in the health and social care sectors.

"We salute all of those nominated, many of which go about their daily duties unaware of the enormous impact they are having on the lives of those around them.

"We thank all of them for their care."

The winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony broadcast live on our website and social media channels on Thursday, May 27.

The awards have been possible thanks to the support of our headline sponsor - the University of Worcester - as well as a number of other organisations and businesses which have sponsored individual awards.

They are Herefordshire and Worcestershire Care NHS Trust, Worcestershire County Council, Sanctuary Housing, Crossroads Care, Insitu, Riverside Home Care, Knights Pharmacy and Clarendon Care.

Over the next few weeks we will be featuring each of the finalists in our titles and websites.