TODAY we are proud to launch our first Swindon & Wiltshire Health and Social Care Awards.

We want to recognise the talent and dedication of those heroes who work in the industry, particularly in this incredibly testing year.

The aim of the awards – in partnership with the Wasdell Group – 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.

It could be a GP who went the extra mile, a care home worker who tackled the challenges presented by Covid head on, or a brilliant team that made a real difference to their community.

There are 12 categories – Health Care Team, Care Hero, Care Home Worker, Healthcare Employer, Domiciliary Care Worker, Good Nurse, Adolescent and Child Health Care, Dementia Carer, Volunteer of the Year, Unsung Hero in the Community, Mental Health and GP Practice of the Year.

Finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and the winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony broadcast live on our Facebook page in May.

Pete Gavan, editor of the Adver, said: “The people who work in the health and social care industry have always been an inspiration, not just during the pandemic, and these awards are our way of thanking them for their incredible dedication and skill.

“I would urge all of our readers to nominate an individual or team, to show them how much you appreciate everything they do. Or if you think you fit the bill, then you can nominate yourself. We’ll be profiling nominees in our newspapers and on our websites, to recognise their amazing work.”

The awards have received the support of Wiltshire health chiefs.

A spokesperson for Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Our staff, alongside all of the health and social care workers across Swindon, Wiltshire, and the rest of the country have worked incredibly hard in exceptional circumstances over the last 12 months and we could not be prouder of all they have achieved.

“These awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise this hard work. If you have experienced care from a healthcare worker who went above and beyond, please do put them forward for a nomination and give them the recognition they deserve.”

Nominations are open now at swindonadvertiser.co.uk/awards. You can make a nomination or nominate yourself.

Nominees should be happy to feature in the Adver and its website and have their picture taken if required.