Sixth annual NHS Unsung Hero Awards being held to recognise backroom healthcare staff
- Unsung Hero Awards for NHS staff and volunteers
- Glitzy ceremony being held at the Hilton Hotel
- Awards recognise work of non-medical staff such as admin and clerical workers
The sixth annual Unsung Hero Awards are being held at the Hilton Hotel this month to commemorate the work done by NHS non-medical and non-clinical staff and volunteers.
These employees – such as admin and clerical staff – make up 50% of the NHS and rarely get recognition for the vital work they do within the health service.
The awards night on 28 February will recognise and reward staff working in departments such as IT and digital, estates and ancillary, and corporate services.
Two new categories have been added this year: Disability Learning Champion and the Leadership Award.
NHS staff have been asked to vote for their Unsung Hero based on their personal skills, work ethic and drive for innovation.
The communications team at the North West ambulance service in Manchester have been shortlisted for an award due to their ability to go above and beyond their role in using social media campaigns such as #Getbehind999.
This gathered pledges of support and allowed staff to see positive messages from the public when feeling under pressure.
The team were praised by those nominating them for boosting staff morale.
We’re back on your screens this week at 9pm on Thurs. Join us for another busy shift in #Manchester @BBCOne #Ambulance @NWAmbulance #GetBehind999 pic.twitter.com/eTRsBxD4fa
— Amb Control Gtr M/cr (@NWAmb_GMControl) December 3, 2018
This campaign reached 1.6M tweet impressions and an average Facebook post reach of 34,210.
Michael Bryan, 18, from Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is among the nominees and has been recognised for his outstanding work. He is the founder of FaceX, a new technology which can recognise and diagnose Parkinson’s disease.
Jules Lockett, a practice learning manager and LGBT Network co-chair control services for the London Ambulance Service, is one of the awards judges.
She said: “The nominations have left me feeling inspired, learning about the improved working practices that has contributed to staff’s working environment. True NHS heroes.”
The awards ceremony is open to the public and will include a three-course meal, live entertainment and raffle. Proceeds will go to the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust charity.
The Unsung Hero Awards are also offering a buy one get one free ticket deal to NHS staff.