Have you been in hospital recently and received exceptional care? Or have you been impressed by the treatment you received at an outpatient clinic or the healthcare you received at home? If so, NHS Forth Valley would love to hear from you as nominations are now open for the 2018 NHS Forth Valley Staff Awards.

There are six categories to choose from which aim to recognise the work of healthcare staff and volunteers across Forth Valley and organisers are hoping to top the 423 nominations received last year. In addition, this year, to help celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the NHS, there will be also be a special Platinum Award chosen from all the nominations received for an individual member of staff or a team who have made a significant contribution to the NHS. This could be through work to improve the care, treatment and experience of patients, provide outstanding leadership or overcome challenges to achieve outstanding results, either personally or professionally.

You can nominate someone by filling in a short online nomination form on the NHS Forth Valley website www.nhsforthvalley.com/staffawards  or pick up an entry form from hospitals and health centres across Forth Valley. These can be returned in the freepost envelopes provided or handed to a member of staff. The closing date for entries is Monday 2^nd July 2018.

NHS Forth Valley Chief Executive, Cathie Cowan, said: “This is a great opportunity for patients and members of the public to say thank you and show their appreciation to the many wonderful staff and volunteers who go the extra mile every day to deliver excellent care and treatment.

“Our staff have told us that being recognised for their work is very important to them so if you know of someone who deserves an award please let us know.”

The NHS Forth Valley Staff Awards aim to highlight the hard work, care and commitment of local NHS staff, Serco staff and volunteers. People can nominate an individual, team, service or department. It could be a nurse, doctor, physiotherapist, dietician, administrator, a member of the domestic team, a porter or one of the many volunteers who support the work of NHS Forth Valley. They could work in a local hospital, health centre or in one of the many community teams across Forth Valley.

Last year’s winners of the Outstanding Care Award were the staff from Ward 4 in the Mental Health Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. They were praised by patients and local families for providing honest, clear answers, providing encouragement and treating people as individuals. The winner of the Unsung Hero Award was receptionist Stephanie Donner who was recognised for her friendly, cheery and caring manner.

The Awards are part of a wider staff recognition programme to celebrate the work and achievements of staff across the organisation and nomination categories are:

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

NHS Forth Valley’s Head of Organisational Development, Morag McLaren, added: “The response from staff, patients and the general public last year was absolutely fantastic. Our staff were really moved by the kind words and positive feedback highlighted in the nominations and really appreciated that people had taken the time to put them forward.”