By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated 21:36, Sunday, 25 May 2008

PREPARATIONS are under way for an awards event that will recognise some of north Cumbria’s most hard-working and dedicated health workers. Judges have now completed their shortlist from the hundreds of nominations received from both staff members and north Cumbrian patients.

• North Cumbria Acute Hospitals website

The Celebrating Excellence NHS Awards takes place this year for the first time, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the health service.

They have been launched by the North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, and Penrith Birthing Centre.

The awards aim to publicly recognise the doctors, nurses, cleaners and all other hospital staff who go that extra mile in the name of patient care.

The winners of each category will be announced at a ceremony at Rheged, Penrith, on June 12. They will then go forward to be entered into regional and national awards.

The full list of awards are:

• Doctor of the Year;
• Nurse/Midwife of the Year;
• Clinical Support Employee of the Year;
• Registered Professional of the Year;
• Administrator of the Year;
• Manager of the Year;
• Contribution to a Clean, Pleasant and Safe Patient Environment;
• Team of the Year;
• Educator/Mentor of the Year
• Patient/Public Involvement Award;
• Patients’ Award;
• Innovation Award;
• Lifetime Achievement (Chairman’s Award);
• Champions’ Extra Mile Award.