The 2022 Parliamentary Awards launched on March 2. This year the Awards include 10 categories for NHS staff and volunteers, with the addition of a new award to recognise the efforts of staff during the pandemic.
MPs nominate outstanding individuals, teams or organisations from their constituency for awards in any or all of these categories, and are encouraged to reach out to their local health and care organisations, as well as members of the public, to seek nominations.
The awards were launched in Parliament by Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive. She says: “The NHS Parliamentary Awards are here to recognise the dedication, innovation and can-do spirit staff have shown, not just in the face of this once in a generation pandemic.
“This is a chance for MPs to put a spotlight on nurses, doctors, therapists, porters, cleaners, cooks or other health and care staff who have gone above and beyond to deliver for patients and their families.
“It has been inspiring to witness the courage and innovation shown by staff across the country, as they worked together to innovate and adapt to the constantly changing demands posed by COVID and are now putting the same energy and commitment into recovery from the pandemic.”
The 10 award categories are:
• The Excellence in Healthcare: This award recognises individuals or teams who go above and beyond to improve outcomes and experiences for patients living with and beyond major health conditions or work to prevent them.
• The Excellence in Mental Health Care Award: To the individual or team that has worked across organisational boundaries to develop new and effective services to help people living with mental health problems in their community.
• The COVID Response Award: The brand new COVID Response Award is for any individual or team who have met the challenges of the pandemic with creativity and innovation to provide the best care possible for their patients.
• The Excellence in Urgent and Emergency Care Award: To the individual or team that has made improvements to how the NHS treats people in life or death situations.
• The Excellence in Primary Care and Community Care Award: As the needs of patients and the wider NHS evolves, so does the role of these professionals, and this award seeks to recognise practitioners and teams in primary or community care that are working with patients to help them stay healthy and avoid long stays in hospital or being admitted in the first place.
• The Future NHS Award: This award seeks to highlight individuals, teams and organisations that are successfully embracing the opportunities that come from advances in medical technology, data, and connectivity.
• The Health Equalities Award: This award is for an individual or organisation that has helped the NHS to do its bit by bringing together different groups and organisations to reduce health inequalities and prevent ill health in different communities.
• The Nursing and Midwifery Award: This award is for any nurse or midwife, that has used their skills to ensure that patients experience care and compassion. This award is also open to any one of the thousands of student midwives, nurses, AHPs and medical students who started their careers early to support the NHS’ response to coronavirus.
• The NHS Rising Star Award: This award looks to celebrate younger members of staff, volunteers or members of the public who give up their time, lend their experiences and deliver better services for themselves and others in their area.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is for an individual who has worked within a health or care setting for 40 years or more who has left a legacy.
The shortlist of regional winners will be announced on June 13 ahead of the winners ceremony in July. Everyone who makes it onto the national shortlist will be invited to an award ceremony in Westminster to celebrate their fantastic achievements.
Since the awards began in 2018 over 450 Members of Parliament have nominated an individual or organisation for an award. Last year, the NHS received over 500 nominations from MPs.
