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Applications now open for this year’s Our Health Heroes Awards

Following the success of the inaugural Our Health Heroes Awards last year, the celebration of the UK’s healthcare workforce is back for 2017.

The awards, organised by Skills for Health and the National Skills Academy for Health, have also grown and will reward an Apprentice of the Year, the Workforce Planning Team of the Year and an Integrated Team of the Year, alongside the already established Clinical and Operational Services Support Worker of the Year awards.

John Rogers, chief executive at Skills for Health, said: “We are delighted to be bringing back the Our Health Heroes Awards for a second year.

“Last year, we rewarded support workers from across the UK but we wanted to cast the net wider and give even more healthcare staff the recognition they deserve, adding three new categories, meeting more Health Heroes and celebrating their hard work.”

The Our Health Heroes Awards will celebrate those that deliver the best in patient care and keep the NHS moving behind the scenes. Healthcare staff from across the UK can be nominated by line managers and colleagues via Skills for Health’s website. Entrants will be shortlisted, then the national winners will either be chosen by public vote or by an expert panel, to be announced at the awards ceremony later this year.

The deadline for entries is 15 September, with the winners being announced at a ceremony on 21 November, at London’s OXO Tower.

With continued support from Unison and NHE, the awards have also attracted new headline sponsorship from Health Education England and category sponsorship from The Open University, NHS England and NHS Improvement.

Laura Roberts, regional director - north, Health Education England, said: “Recognising and celebrating the hard work and dedication of the NHS staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes is really important.

“HEE is delighted to be part of this important event which will showcase the contribution that staff make to the NHS every single day.”

Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison, added that the hard work and dedication of healthcare support staff goes unrecognised all too often. These awards are vital in showing just how much they’re valued.

Spa Breaks will also return as headline Prize Sponsor, providing almost £3,000 worth of vouchers for the worthy winners.

What are the awards categories?

Operational Services Support Worker of the Year, sponsored by Unison

The returning category will see 12 support workers shortlisted, one for each Unison region. Voting will then open to decide on two national winners.

Clinical Support Worker of the Year, sponsored by Unison

The returning category will see 12 support workers shortlisted, one for each Unison region. Voting will then open to decide on two national winners.

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by The Open University

The first new category will reward healthcare apprentices from across the UK that have gone above and beyond in their role. Bronze, Silver and Gold awards will be presented at the ceremony.

Workforce Planning Team of the Year, sponsored by NHS England

Another new category will see teams commended for excellence in integrated workforce planning to address workforce and organisational issues. Bronze, Silver and Gold awards will be presented at the ceremony.

Integrated Team of the Year, sponsored by NHS Improvement

The last new category will celebrate one team that has worked seamlessly together to make sure they are always providing the best possible patient care. One outstanding integrated team will receive their award at the ceremony.