As a former nurse of 25 years, I know our NHS is one of the UK’s most treasured institutions, having cared for us from the cradle to the grave for more than 75 years.

Since it was founded, the NHS has innovated and adapted to meet the needs of each successive generation, always putting patients at the heart of everything it does.

We have lots of amazing local people who work for our NHS and care organisations in Erdington, Kingstanding and Castle Vale. I’m keen to showcase and honour the brilliant talent in our area.

To do this, I need your help!

Do you know an NHS worker in our local community who deserves special recognition?

I can submit one nomination per category and ask that you complete the form below to help me decide who these should be. The categories are as follows:

• The Excellence in Healthcare: This award recognises individuals or teams who go above and beyond to either prevent major health conditions or improve outcomes and experiences for patients living with and beyond 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 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 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, allied health professionals and medical students who started their careers early to support the NHS’ response to coronavirus.

• 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 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 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 Education and Training Award: This award will recognise a team or individual that is leading the way in supporting the delivery of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan through innovative approaches to education and training which benefit new and existing staff, support professional development and improve patient care. This award encompasses both clinical and non-clinical education and training and is open to all NHS sectors.

• The Volunteer Award: The brand new Volunteer Award is for volunteers working to support the NHS to provide excellent care for patients, helping them to keep healthy and well.

• 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.

The deadline for your suggestion is 11:59pm on the Monday 15th of April 2024.