Your Chance to Nominate Your NHS Hero

Members of the public, patients and carers are urged to give something back by nominating someone from their local health or social care services for the Best of Health Awards 2009.

The Royal Surrey County Hospital is keen for the outstanding and inspirational achievements of their staff to be recognised and commended by their local people. The winners from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in May 2009.

The annual awards are organised by NHS South East Coast, the regional headquarters of the NHS. The public are asked to nominate in three categories; Health and Social Care Professional of the Year, Unsung Hero and the People's Award for Dignity in Care. All nominations should be in by March 6^th.  

Royal Surrey County Hospital Chief Executive Nick Moberly said:

"These awards are a true salute to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who strive to ensure that patients' hospital experience is as smooth as possible and recognises those teams and individuals who go beyond the call of duty.

"In 2008 we were delighted to see two individuals from the Royal Surrey receive awards which are supported by our patients.  Katherine Binks was presented with the Health and Social Care Professional of the Year award for her work as a Paediatric Physiotherapist and Royal Surrey volunteer Annabelle Cribb was given the Unsung Hero award for her support within the Respiratory Medicine Team, despite suffering with severe COPD herself.

Candy Morris, Chief Executive of NHS South East Coast, said:

"We can be immensely proud of the superb work of people in health and social care across the region. These awards are a great way to showcase the very best of what we do, highlighting best practice on a national stage and inspiring others by showing how we are bringing to life our vision for Healthier people, excellent care."

In 2008 staff and volunteers from the Royal Surrey County Hospital were finalists in five out of the fifteen categories and walked away with four of the awards:

Adopt, Adapt and Improve Award - The Professor Ponseti Team for their treatment of babies born with club feet.

Service Transformation - Cardiac Diagnostics Team for reducing waiting times from 14 weeks down to just two weeks.

Health and Social Care Professional of the Year - Katherine Binks for her work as the Royal Surrey's first Paediatric Physiotherapist.

Unsung Hero - Annabelle Cribb for her volunteer work with the Respiratory Medicine Team.

To take part and for more details on how to nominate for the 2009 awards please visit: www.southeastcoast.nhs.uk/bestofhealth or call 01483 408337 / 01483 571122 ext 6554.