THE trust that runs Northwick Park, St Mark’s, Ealing and Central Middlesex hospitals, as well as community services across Ealing and neighbouring boroughs, is asking people to vote for their healthcare hero.

Nominations are now open for this year’s Staff Excellence Awards, which showcase and celebrate the work of the 9,000 staff who work at London North West Healthcare NHS Trust.

There are 12 award categories to choose from and anyone can make a nomination. The categories include volunteer of the year, team of the year, fund-raiser of the year and individual divisional awards.

People can also nominate staff for a lifetime achievement award, which will be presented by trust chairman Peter Worthington.

Dame Jacqueline Docherty, chief executive of London North West, said: “We are all aware of the pressures the NHS is facing, so it is important that we take the time to recognise the dedication, hard work and commitment of our staff.

“The staff excellence awards are our way of saying thank-you to our hospital and community staff and showing them their efforts do not go unnoticed.”

Last year, 320 people from the trust were nominated by grateful patients, family members and colleagues.

Senior Sister Alison Willis was presented with the Unsung Hero award last year for her caring and professionalism towards all of her patients, in particular personally ensuring a local homeless man got into accommodation.

Alison said: “I have been a nurse for 30 years and during that time I have never won anything. I was surprised my colleagues had nominated me and I was delighted to win the award.”

Nominations are open until December 31 and all entries must include examples of work within the last 12 months (unless otherwise stated). Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in March.

To find out more and make a nomination, visit: www.lnwh.nhs.uk/staffexcellenceawards