THERE is still time to nominate Great Western Hospital staff for their hard work and dedication.

For the third year running, the hospital trust is hosting its Staff Excellence Awards to celebrate the achievements of its workers, but this time a new award has been introduced.

The Patients’ Choice Award is designed to recognise the difference staff make to patients and service users at GWH and in the community across Wiltshire.

Anyone who has received exceptional care from a team or member of staff can take this chance to ensure their hard work does not go unnoticed.

Oonagh Fitzgerald, director of workforce and education at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The awards have gone from strength to strength since they were launched back in 2010.

“They are a great opportunity to celebrate the success of our staff in delivering professional, high-quality services and care to our patients.

“We always welcome feedback from patients as it shows us the areas we need to improve on, and the areas where we are doing well.

“We often receive letters from patients and service users telling us about members of staff who have made their lives better and we want to formally recognise them.”

The judging panel, which will include a patient representative, will select a shortlist from all of the nominations received.

Last year, the team award was presented to the stroke team for improvements it made in caring for people who have suffered a stroke, improving patients’ chances of surviving and regaining a good quality of life.

Shortlisted nominees will be invited to an awards ceremony in June at the STEAM Museum Amanda Chivers, ward manager on Mercury Acute Stroke Unit, said: “It was wonderful for our team just to be nominated last year, but to actually win the ‘team of the year’ award was fantastic and we were very proud. Our team of doctors, nurses and therapists put in so much effort to improve care for stroke patients so it was good to see it rewarded in this way.

“I am pleased that the People’s Choice Award category has been introduced into the Staff Excellence Awards this year. It gives patients and service users the opportunity to provide feedback and recognition on outstanding care they may have received from staff here at GWH or in community hospitals.

“I am looking forward to finding out which team or member of staff wins the People’s Choice Award.”

To make a nomination, download a nomination form from the trust’s website at www.gwh.nhs.uk.

For further information, email comms@gwh.nhs.uk or call 01793 604431.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on March 16.