AS NOMINATIONS flow in for our Worcestershire Health & Social Care Awards 2021, we look at what winning one of the prizes means to those who triumph.

Run by Newsquest’s Worcestershire titles, including the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal, the aim of the awards is to champion those teams and individuals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for people during the Covid pandemic.

After our sister title the Hereford Times ran the Herefordshire Health & Social Care Awards 2020, we look at what winning meant to those who triumphed in the mental health, care home worker, domiciliary, dementia care, care trainer and health care employer categories.

Euan and Paul were awarded the Mental Health title for their work setting up the Hereford Men’s Mental Health Group

Euan said: “Given the quality of the finalists I was rather taken aback."

Care Hero winner Amanda Merrett said:“I was amazed while my client immediately rang her family and friends and told them: ‘it’s official, I’ve got the best carer in the county. She insisted we press rewind three times.”

Care Home Worker recipient Rebecca Marshall burst into tears when her award was announced. She had been sharing the drama with friends on Zoom.

Domiciliary Care Worker winner Ruth Davies said: “I’m very proud. It was an achievement to be nominated, let alone win it.”

Good Nurse Award Ricky Baker said: “It was incredible, really. I was shocked and I still cannot get over it. I put it on my social media and I got loads of messages of support and congratulations. And then I thought: but I’m getting an award for doing what I love doing. I’ve got a bit of imposter syndrome.”

GP Practice of the Year assistant practice manager Jane Harley said: “Everybody was very happy that we won, and we were impressed with Dr Dua on the night. We thought he stole the show!”

There are 12 categories in our Health and Social Care 2021 Awards. They are: Health Care Team, Care Hero, Care Home Worker, Care Trainer, Healthcare Employer, Domiciliary Care Worker, Good Nurse, Adolescent and Child Health Care, Dementia Carer, Palliative/ End of Life Care, Mental Health Award, and GP Practice of the Year.

Voting closes on April 2 and our panel of judges will choose the finalists, who will be featured in our titles.

Winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on May 27.

Headline sponsor for the awards is the University of Worcester. Other sponsors include Sanctuary Care, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Worcestershire County Council and Knights Pharmacy.