Nominate your health and care champions for Greater Manchester-wide awards

Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards 2019

Nominations are now open for the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards 2019.

The awards recognise those who regularly go above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Greater Manchester and are an opportunity to say thank you to the unsung heroes who are really making a difference in our communities.

The inaugural awards in 2018 included winners such as 10-year-old Keira Arnold from Oldham, who received the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Special Contribution Award for her fundraising efforts for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and the Village Angels and Haven Volunteers recognised for their commitment to keeping people safe in Manchester’s Gay Village.

Other winners included the team of nurses, coroners, police family liaison officers and mortuary staff who came together in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena terror attack to help support the families of the victims, the SWAN Bereavement Squad.

Going into their second year the awards seek to recognise anyone who helps improve the health and wellbeing of others; from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and pharmacists, to care workers, unpaid carers, apprentices and volunteers.

Award categories include ‘Apprentice of the Year’, ‘Dedication to volunteering’ and the ‘People’s Champion’. The awards are open to all individuals or teams, paid or unpaid, who work in the health or care sector in Greater Manchester or through their broader work help improve the health and wellbeing of others. Nominations can be completed by colleagues or members of the public who wish to see an individual or team’s hard work recognised.

Nominations can be completed online by visiting www.gmchampionawards.co.uk and must be returned by the deadline of Friday 15 March 2019.

The awards are organised by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, the body overseeing devolution of the area’s health and social care budget, with support from the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

The winners will be announced at a sponsored event at the Museum of Science and Industry in July.

Jon Rouse, Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Here in Greater Manchester we are fortunate to have so many fantastic teams and individuals working around the clock to keep us well. These awards are a valuable opportunity for Greater Manchester to say thank you.

“Whether you have recently experienced outstanding care in your local GP practice or hospital, or you know a care worker who regularly goes the extra mile, or a volunteer who dedicates their spare time to helping others, why not take five minutes to complete a nomination today?”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “I am delighted to support these awards as they return for a second year to celebrate our dedicated health and care staff, and the volunteers and unwaged carers who support them.

“We had some really inspirational winners in 2018 and I’m sure the people of Greater Manchester will embrace the opportunity to celebrate our health and care champions just as they did last year. I look forward to finding out more about some of this year’s hidden heroes.”