Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

PREPARATIONS are hotting up for an awards event that will recognise some of Cumbria’s most hard-working and dedicated health workers.

prize people: Jane McRitchie, a midwife at Penrith Birthing Centre and community midwife for West Cumbria

Judges have completed their shortlist from the hundreds of nominations received from both staff members and north Cumbrian patients.

The Celebrating Excellence NHS Awards 2008 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, West Cumberland Hospital 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.

Today we give you a taste of the type of entry that has made it into the extensive shortlist .

Next week we will reveal the full shortlist of entries.

The winners of each category will be announced at a special awards ceremony at Rheged, Penrith, on June 12.

They will then go forward to be entered into regional and even 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

Patient’s Award

Innovation Award

Lifetime Achievement (Chairman’s Award)

Champions’ Extra Mile Award