Do you know someone working in NHS Forth Valley who has gone the extra mile to help you and provided outstanding care? The health board has introduced a new Staff Award Scheme to recognise the hard work, care and commitment of both NHS staff, Serco staff and volunteers and are asking you to nominate your local health hero. It could be someone working in a ward or an office, a nurse, doctor or physiotherapist or one of the many volunteers who support the work of NHS Forth Valley. They could work in a hospital, health centre or in one of the many community health teams across Forth Valley.

NHS Forth Valley Chief Executive Jane Grant said: “We want to hear about the many wonderful people who work in our organisation who go the extra mile every day to deliver excellent care and treatment to patients. They don’t do this in anticipation of awards, but because they are committed to providing safe, high quality care. This is an opportunity, however, for their colleagues and members of the public to say thanks and show their appreciation. So if you know of someone who deserves to be recognised we would love to hear from you.”

The NHS Forth Valley Staff Award scheme is part of a wider staff recognition programme to celebrate the work and achievements of staff across the organisation. The Awards applaud excellence and innovation, outstanding care and celebrates exceptional achievements during the year. There are six awards to recognise the work of individuals, services or teams:

• Top Team
• Inspiration Award
• Outstanding Care Award
• Volunteer Award
• Innovation Award
• Unsung Hero Award

NHS Forth Valley’s Head of Organisational Development, Morag McLaren, added: “This new award scheme is supported by both staff and patients and many people have told us they would like to have the opportunity to nominate a member of staff or a volunteer as a way of saying thank you for the outstanding care and service they provide. Staff have also said that just being nominated for an award makes them feel valued and appreciated.”

Nomination forms will be available in key locations across Forth Valley and can be returned in the freepost envelope provided or handed to a member of staff. They can also be made online at www.nhsforthvalley.com/staffawards.

The deadline for nominations for this year’s awards is Friday 26^th September 2014.