Vote for your health heroes

Residents are being asked to nominate their health heroes for NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale’s annual Going for Gold Awards.

The Trust has developed two awards where the public can nominate; ‘The Heart of Local Health’ award and, new this year, the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award.

The ‘Heart of Local Health’ award recognises the difference NHS workers make to the health of the borough. It could be a team as a whole or an individual that has provided outstanding service or care. As long as they work for, or in association with, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale they can be nominated.

Last year Dr Paul Laker from Littleborough Group Practice received the award. He was nominated by patient Thomas Richardson for the personal care he provides, making sure his patients are at ease, getting to know them, and providing quality healthcare.

NHS HMR has also added the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award to recognise the number of volunteers who give up their time to help. Volunteers carry out many roles to assist patient care and offer a valuable contribution to the thousands of patients and members of the public who visit local services every year.

“We receive a number of letters and emails from patients who have been delighted with the care they have received and these awards are a way they can really show their gratitude," said John Pierce, chairman at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

“We decided to add the volunteer category after the success of last year’s Heart of Local Health Award but felt that we needed to reward volunteers separately, as usually they are not health professionals but provide a valuable contribution to patient care.

“The quality of entries was astounding last year and I greatly urge patients to take part and reward our most deserving staff.”

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges from the local Patients Council and NHS HMR. The awards will be presented at the Going for Gold Awards on 30 September at Rochdale Town Hall.

To submit a nomination visit www.hmr.nhs.uk or call 01706 652824 for more information.