Nominations Are Open For Our Health Heroes 2019
Our Health Heroes, the national healthcare awards which celebrate individuals, teams and organisations within the healthcare and care and sectors, are back for the fourth year and promise to be bigger and better than ever.
Launched on Monday 8th April, the Our Health Heroes awards will be delivered by Skills for Health with support from headline sponsor Health Education England, award category sponsors NHS Employers and UNISON.
Nominations in eight categories, which recognise the contribution of support workers and other healthcare professionals from the sector across the UK, including those working in the NHS, are being sought from healthcare professionals and members of the public via the dedicated Our Health Heroes webpage.
During a presentation at the recent UNISON annual health conference, Adam Causon, Executive Director of Skills for Health, said: “As patients, we remember the doctor who operated on us or the nurse who cared for us, but how many of us thank the healthcare assistants who were there to support us, the cleaner who kept the ward clean and safe, or the porter that kept our spirits up as they moved us round the hospital?
“Behind the scenes, there are thousands of people who work tirelessly to keep the system running smoothly, day after day. Without these people, the NHS couldn’t survive. These are the unsung heroes of the UK’s healthcare sector.
“Our Health Heroes rewards teams and individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to deliver outstanding care and support to patients and colleagues. If that sounds like someone you know, please make a nomination.”
Since its creation in 2016, Our Health Heroes has recognised more than 90 regional and national winners from all four corners of the UK for their dedication and inspiring contribution to the care and well-being of patients and other staff members.
Thanks to the ongoing support of headline sponsor Health Education England the awards have grown again for the fourth year and will now include the Outstanding Contribution Award exclusively sponsored by NHS Employers and Learning and Development Project of the Year Award which recognises the importance of a dedicated development programme in the sector to support staff growth and improvements to services.
Apprentice of the Year; Clinical Support Worker of the Year, Operational Services Support Worker of the Year along with Workforce Planning Team; Integrated Team and Staff Wellbeing Employer awards will all return as usual.
Healthcare staff from across the UK can be nominated by line managers, colleagues or members of the public via a simple form on the Skills for Health website. Entries will be shortlisted, and regional winners and finalists will be chosen either by public vote or by an expert panel, before the winners are announced at the awards ceremony in November.
Laura Roberts, Health Education England Director of Skills Development and Participation, said: “Apprentices together with all clinical and non-clinical support workers are a vital part of the healthcare workforce, which is why we are delighted to sponsor the Our Health Heroes again.
“We are passionately committed to ensuring that we have a workforce which reflects the community it serves. People go beyond the call of duty and it is a very inspiring to be involved.
“With a focus on diversity, inclusion and widening participation from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups, our Talent for Care framework supports employers with their workforce supply through programmes such as school’s engagement, volunteering, work experience, pre-employment activity, apprenticeships and access to higher education and registered professions.
“Apprenticeships are a key priority for us and we continue to work with employers, government bodies and trade unions to continue the progression of this important agenda in the NHS.”
The deadline for nominating someone for the awards is midnight on Saturday 29th June and the award ceremony will take place on Wednesday 20th November 2019 at London’s Science Museum. To make a nomination visit www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/ohh
