Last updated at 10:24, Wednesday, 01 April 2009

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HEALTH care workers who go above and beyond the call of duty are set to be commended with the launch of the second Celebrating Excellence NHS Awards.

The achievements of these unsung heroes, as voted for by co-workers and the public, will see doctors, nurses and health care staff from across the county, praised for their dedication.

Nominations are now being collected for a total of 14 categories which range from doctor of the year and nurse or midwife of the year to a lifetime achievement award.

This is the second year that North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust has hosted the awards, open to staff of the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and the Penrith Birthing Centre.

Carole Heatly, chief executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Hospitals get a hard time when they don’t get it right and this is our chance to celebrate those who are doing a fantastic job.”

She added: “Every year, many thousands of patients in North Cumbria receive top quality care from our staff, whose extraordinary commitment to others is inspirational.
“We have many areas of development, excellence in our hospitals and we want to ensure that North Cumbria’s talents, abilities and innovation is recognised locally, regionally and nationally.”

Alison Scott, nursing assistant at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, added: “The awards are a great opportunity not only for members of the public to nominate staff but for staff to nominate each other.
“We are all very supportive of each other and love to see co-workers being commended.”

To mark the start of the nomination process balloons were released at both the Carlisle and Whitehaven hospitals yesterday (tues).

The prestigious award ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 3 at Rheged near Penrith and will include a black-tie dinner.

The event - organised by CN Event Management - is being funded through local sponsorships, giving businesses a chance to show their support for the hospitals.

First published at 00:43, Wednesday, 01 April 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk