Patients, their families and carers will be able to nominate a staff member or team within Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust that has shown outstanding personalised care and compassion for an award.

Every year the trust runs an internal Staff Recognition Awards event where colleagues can highlight innovation, improvements within teams and services and staff who exemplify the organisation’s values of Respect, Compassion, Professionalism and Teamwork. Last year’s event had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s event will see last year’s nominations considered along with the additional category of the “Sister Dora Award for Compassionate Care” which  is now open for public nominations.

Garry Perry, Walsall Healthcare’s Associate Director for Patient Relations & Experience, said: “The addition of this award that our patients, their relatives or carers can have a say in is really important to the ongoing work we are doing at the trust around patient experience.

“It has been an incredibly tough time for our communities as healthcare has had to adapt to meet the demands of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; and we’re not yet out of the woods. But throughout this challenging period we know that our staff have been doing all they can to support patients and their families and we have heard of some outstanding examples of care and compassion shown.

“As Sister Dora was a Walsall nursing heroine  whose legacy for putting the needs of others first was legendary it seems very fitting to name this award in her memory. The award is a very special one, aimed at those who really stand out for consistently showing care and empathy, someone who can inspire others. Nominees could also be those who either individually, or as a team, have introduced new ideas or enhanced services to meet the needs of our patients and families at this time.

“Nominations can be made for staff who work in the Manor Hospital or in our community services and we look forward to receiving them. The closing date is 3 September.”