Public urged to nominate for the Nursing Standard Patient’s Choice Award

Local people are being encouraged by South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust to nominate nursing staff within the organisation for the Nursing Standard Patient’s Choice Award 2009.

The Patient’s Choice Award enables members of the public to nominate a nurse, health visitor, midwife or healthcare assistant who they feel has made a real difference in either their healthcare or that of a loved one.

The winner of the award will be announced at the prestigious Nursing Standard Nurse 2009 Awards ceremony which will be held at The Dorchester in London in November.

Director of nursing, innovation and compliance at the Trust, Noreen Young said, "Mental health and learning disability nursing staff can often be overlooked in major award ceremonies. We’re proud of the outstanding work of all our staff and would encourage people who have come into contact with our dedicated nurses and healthcare assistants to nominate them."

She continued, "Healthcare assistants make a vital contribution to the services we provide and with over 400 of them working within the organisation, they form a huge part of our workforce. They are often the first contact a person with mental health problems has with the Trust and when we hold events, people who use services and their carers always mention how important healthcare assistants are to them."

If you feel your healthcare, or that of a loved one has been improved by a certain individual visit http://nurseawards.rcnpublishing.co.uk/ to request an entry form. Nominations are open now and close 10th April 2009.