As the NHS continues to face huge pressures every day, we know this incredible service would not be possible without it’s army of committed and hardworking nurses, doctors and support staff.
These dedicated professionals work tirelessly putting the needs of others first often in extreme circumstances, witness unforgettable things and are our pillars of support when we need them the most.
And that’s why we are launching the first Lincolnshire Health Awards – to recognise our doctors, nurses, pharmacies, innovators, midwives, non-medical teams behind the scene’s of the hospital and many more health care professionals.
The Lincolnshire Health Awards are being held in association with Lincolnshire’s NHS and the main sponsor Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture.
Dr Sunil Hindocha, chief clinical officer at NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group and GP at Portland Medical Practice in Lincoln, said: “We all know the NHS faces difficult challenges on a daily basis, but our staff continue to work hard to provide the very best service to patients.
“By launching these awards, we can all recognise and reward the incredible job people at all levels of the NHS do as a matter of routine. Whether they are doctors, nurses, porters, housekeepers or surgeons, they all play a vital role in the NHS.
“I am always immensely proud of what the NHS and its workforce produces and the care it delivers, so these awards are a fitting way to celebrate that.
“I would certainly encourage as many patients and colleagues as possible to get nominating. There are lots of categories to choose from and I’m sure the awards ceremony on November 14 will be a great event for people’s hard work to be recognised and celebrated.”
Jan Sobieraj, chief executive at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, said: “I’m pleased to support the first ever Lincolnshire Media Health Awards.
“So much of what staff do from across the whole NHS is incredibly positive, and it’s great the NHS is working in partnership with Lincolnshire Media to celebrate our fabulous staff.
“Please help make the awards a success by nominating someone today who’s made a big difference to your or your family by providing outstanding care.”
A spokesman for Magna Vitae, the main sponsor, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Lincolnshire Health Awards. These awards celebrate the care, dedication and commitment of local people working in the health sector, something which the whole community benefits from and for which we are all very grateful for.
“This very much complements our vision of making the local community more physically and culturally active in order to enhance their health and well-being.
“The Lincolnshire Health Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the vital and demanding work that our local healthcare heroes do for our community.
“We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the nominees in November.”
The award categories and sponsors are:
Nurse of the Year
This award recognises nurses for their excellence in practice and for the significant contribution they make to their professions, their teams and their patients through their practice, leadership or research endeavour.
Please consider nominating a nurse, or managerial nurse who you feel deserves to be recognised for their service and dedication or a nurse who has gone the extra mile to best help a patient.
They may be a hospital nurse, GP surgery nurse, community nurse, mental health nurse or children’s nurse.
A nurse who has responded admirably in the face of huge pressure or adversity should also be considered.
Midwife of the Year
This award recognises the enthusiasm and determination to improve the birth experience of all who they come into contact with.
Outstanding midwifery care may include acting as an advocate for women and as a role model to others, sustained commitment to advancing the profession; an ability to develop relationships with patients and colleagues by listening, communicating and responding to their needs.
A midwife who has responded admirably in the face of huge pressure or adversity should also be considered.
Doctor of the Year sponsored by BMI The Lincoln Hospital
This award seeks to recognise a doctor, in a hospital, clinic or GP surgery, who has made an outstanding contribution to patient care.
We are looking for an individual that has made a real difference to the provision of care in their practice or hospital.
There should be evidence their individual efforts and imagination have improved patient care and/or safety – through leading improvement projects, innovative training of doctor trainees or helping to turn a struggling practice/department around.
Particular credit will be given to applications which have gone the extra mile to support patients or overcome significant obstacles.
A doctor who has responded admirably in the face of huge pressure or adversity should also be considered.
Therapist of the Year
This award recognises outstanding practice by an occupational therapist, speech therapist, podiatrist psychologist or physiotherapist.
We are looking for a therapist that has made a real difference to the provision of patient care in their practice or hospital.
There should be evidence their individual efforts has improved patient care and/or quality via their practice, leadership and or research endeavour.
GP Practice of the Year sponsored by Duncan & Toplis
This award seeks to recognise the multidisciplinary team, led by their practice manager, that has had the largest positive impact on improving patient care in their GP practice.
A successful application will outline how the team worked together to make a radical change in their practice and/or in their local area and how they achieved it.
We are looking for a holistic team approach that puts patient care first or examples of effective team work, staff motivation and a project that has clearly improved patient care.
Healthcare Assistant of the Year Award
Do you know an outstanding healthcare assistant working within a multidisciplinary team? The award recognises the wide range of responsibilities and dedication of healthcare assistants who promote the highest standards of care across the whole health service.
Healthcare assistants make a huge contribution to maintaining and protecting the health and well-being of people across Lincolnshire.
HCAs work within a range of NHS hospital or community settings under the guidance of a variety of healthcare professionals.
They could be working alongside nurses in hospitals or midwives in maternity services or in mental health, community or General Practice surgeries.
Support Staff of the Year Award
This award recognises the unsung hero.
We are looking for someone who consistently goes above and beyond – going the extra mile for the benefit of patients.
We are looking for an outstanding backroom staff member, porter, admin staff member, secretary, chaplain, caterer or housekeeper.
Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by St Hughs Hospital HMT
This award recognises a volunteer or voluntary team who work tirelessly and generously give their free time, enthusiasm and energy to help improve NHS services, facilities and support for patients, visitors and their families.
Clinical Team of the Year
This award recognises a clinical team in a hospital, community or primary care which consistently demonstrates good team working, to deliver an efficient and high performing service and improve patient care.
Non-clinical Team of the Year
This award recognises a non-clinical team which consistently demonstrate good team working, to deliver an efficient and high performing service.
Rising Star of the Year
This award seeks a newly qualified clinician or non-clinician who is committed to professional development.
We are looking for significant progress and have shown real drive to improve their learning outcomes and act as a role model and positive influence on peers. This person will display huge potential for the future.
Pharmacy Team of the Year sponsored by Micronclean Ltd
A pharmacy’s biggest asset is its staff – its pharmacy team. We’re looking for a pharmacy delivering great patient care.
Tell us how your team puts the pharmacy at the heart of the community it serves, how it has overcome obstacles by working together and how it has used individual skills and strengths to create an even more powerful team – all to the benefit of patients.
Paramedic/First Responder of the Year
Paramedics and first responders play a pivotal role on the frontline. This reward recognises a paramedic or first responder who has worked heroics to save a life or gone that extra mile for the benefit of a patient/s.
Research, Innovation, Education Award
This award will go to the team/individual who have implemented an idea or innovative approach which has resulted in a saving of time or money, improved practice or a new way of working.
They may have carried out or published innovative research papers, been involved with clinical trials or taken part in training or education with the end result of benefitting patients.
Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Magna Vitae
The Lifetime Achievement Award is looking for an individual who has an established history of distinguished service to the NHS in Lincolnshire, made a lasting contribution to NHS practice, exhibited leadership and provided inspiration to others and positively influenced the NHS.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is an individual award in recognition of a person’s outstanding contributions. These contributions may be a new innovation, new knowledge, or ways to improve professional practice. Importantly, the contributions should be above and beyond the everyday and have had a long lasting impact on the NHS locally.
The individual should have a minimum of 20 years working in the NHS. (This award is not open for entries and will be chosen by Lincolnshire Media, Lincolnshire’s NHS and Magna Vitae.)
How do I nominate someone?
Nominations can be made online by clicking here Lincolnshire Health Awards or by sending your name and contact details, along with who you are nominating and a 400 word supporting statement. Please also include contacts details of the person you are nominating.
Nominations can be emailed to healthawards@lincolnshiremedia.co.uk or posted to Health Awards, Lincolnshire Media, Ground Floor Witham Wharf, Brayford Wharf East, Lincoln, LN5 7AY.
Closing date for nominations is October 2.
An awards ceremony will take place on November 14 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln.
How can I sponsor an award?
Businesses and organisations can still get involved with sponsoring an award category.
To get involved, contact Events Manager Karis Hildred on 01522 804226 or email karis.hildred@lincolnshiremedia.co.uk