NHS England & NHS Improvement Parlimentary Awards

The below information has been shared by the Office of the Chief Dental Officer England on behalf of Sara Hurley, announcing their annual Parliamentary Awards.

"Earlier this year, NHS England and NHS Improvement launched the NHS Parliamentary Awards sponsored by Fuji Film It is an award programme designed to encourage health and care organisations to engage with their local MPs, tell them about the work they do, and build or strengthen ongoing relationships. The awards were created to celebrate NHS staff, carers and volunteers – their hard work, innovative ideas and unwavering efforts to put patients first.

The window for nominations is now open until midnight on Tuesday 1 September 2020.

Coronavirus has been a global health emergency on a scale not seen for a century. The NHS, which first opened its doors at Trafford Park Hospital on July 5, 1948, responded swiftly and flexibly to deal with the pandemic but staff – present, past and future – have had to come together as never before, supported by volunteers and the public.

All NHS staff, volunteers and society’s carers deserve recognition, but there are many that go above and beyond the call of duty to make the NHS a better service – with hard graft, exciting new ideas and simply by putting patients first.

Members of Parliament are now searching for nominations to submit and want to hear from outstanding individuals, who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how the health service provides care for patients.

All those who are shortlisted for excellence will be invited to an award ceremony in Parliament in July 2021 to celebrate their fantastic achievements.

There are ten categories, including a Lifetime Achievement award to honour those who have devoted their life or career to making the NHS better, both for patients and those who work within it.

Last year over 200 Members of Parliament nominated an individual or organisation for an award. There were over 600 nominations from MPs in England – 600 examples of talent, creativity and brilliance in the NHS identified by England’s MPs.

MPs in England have been asked to nominate individuals or organisations for awards in the following categories:

  • The Excellence in Healthcare: this award recognises individuals or teams who go above and beyond improving the outcomes and experiences for patients living with and beyond major health conditions or working to prevent those conditions.
  • The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award supported by The Lloyds Banking Group: To the individual or team that has worked across organisational boundaries to develop new and effective services to help people living with mental health problems in their community
  • The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: To the individual or team that has made improvements to how the NHS treats people in life or death situations.
  • The Excellence in Primary Care Award supported by Assura PLC: for an exceptional primary care practitioner or team who is working with patients to help them stay healthy in their own homes for as long as possible.
  • NHS Rising Star supported by Fuji Film: To celebrate young volunteers and members of staff (under 30) who have helped to shape, improve or deliver better services in their area. (including NHS responders and those who have started a career in the NHS early to support the NHS’ response to coronavirus)
  • The Future NHS Award: To a person or team that has successfully trialled and embedded change to make better use of data and digital technology, provide more convenient access to services and information
  • The Health Equalities Award: an individual or team that helps ensure equality throughout our lives in the care we receive. From being born in a safe environment through to dying with dignity.
  • The Care and Compassion Award: for any nurse, midwife, allied health professional or care staff member of any discipline and in any setting, that has used their skills to ensure that patients experience care and compassion.
  • The Wellbeing at Work Award: For the person or team that has successfully trialled and embedded change(s) making the NHS a better place to work.
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award: For an individual who has worked within a health or care setting for 40 years or more who has left a legacy (including those who have returned to the frontline to support the NHS’ response to Coronavirus).

More information about how to nominate one of your colleagues can be found here

We would encourage you to reach out to your local MPs and ask them to submit a nomination for your colleagues.

The timeline is rather tight, we would suggest:

  • Send your nomination to your MP by 18th August 2020
  • 24th August contact your MP to ensure they have received your nomination and offer to answer any queries they may have around the nomination
  • Urge your MP to submit the nomination before the deadline of 1st September 2020

The nominations received into the NHS are assessed on a regional basis with a winner from each category in each region. We are happy for you to share with the CDO office details of any nominations you submit to your MPs."

For official document, click here