Vote for your Healthcare Hero 2013

READERS of The Exeter Daily are being encouraged to vote for their Healthcare Hero for 2013.

The Exeter Daily has linked up with the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, which is running the Healthcare Hero Awards for the second year.

The Trust needs your help to find those staff who deserve to be recognised and rewarded for going above and beyond the call of duty.

The Trust manages a variety of services in Exeter including Exeter Community Hospital at Whipton and the NHS walk-in centre in Sidwell Street, while its community nursing and therapy teams care for people in their own homes throughout the city and surrounding areas.

It is important to note that the Trust is a separate organisation to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The public are invited to contact The Exeter Daily and nominate any member of Trust staff – no matter what their job role.

Jac Kelly, the Trust’s chief executive, said: “Our staff care passionately about our patients’ health and wellbeing and do a huge amount of excellent unsung work, whether in a hospital, in a health centre or when visiting people in their own home.

“We receive many letters, e-mails and phone calls each week from patients and their families, which highlight the positive impact our staff have had on their lives.

“While this makes me very proud, I want to make sure our unsung heroes are recognised and honoured officially for going the extra mile.

“The Healthcare Hero Awards give us the perfect opportunity to do this.”

The public are asked to e-mail The Exeter Daily at ted@thedailyuk.com with their stories of how Trust staff have provided exceptional care and support to them and their families.

The Trust has about 4,500 employees across Devon and all are eligible for nomination, including nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, therapists and support staff such as cleaners, porters and administrators.

Mrs Kelly said: “We value all our staff and appreciate the commitment they make to provide the best possible care to the people of Exeter and elsewhere in the county.

“Please come forward and help us find that special member of staff who will be our Healthcare Hero for 2013.”

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Tuesday 31 December.