HEALTH and care heroes could be nominated for a special set of awards which mark the 70 year anniversary of the NHS.

The NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, which launched in Parliament last week, is part of a range of activities being organised by NHS England and NHS Improvement to celebrate the achievements of the NHS and those who work for and with it.

The launch of the NHS70 Parliamentary Awards was attended by Ethel Armstrong, who was working as a nurse cadet the day the NHS came into being, on July 5, 1948.

She worked for more than four decades at various hospitals around the country, mainly in radiography and nursing, and since then for two charities that support current and retired NHS staff.

Ethel said: “The NHS has changed a great deal since Nye Bevan launched in back in 1948, but one thing has stayed the same, the dedication, skill and compassion of those who work in it and support it in other ways.

"The 70th anniversary is an important opportunity to honour those people, past and present, so I welcome Jake’s support for these awards.”

MPs in England are searching for 'outstanding' nominees who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how the health and care system provides care for patients.

There are ten categories, including a Lifetime Achievement award to honour those who have devoted their lives or careers to making the NHS better, both for patients and those who work within it.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry is one of the MPs calling for potential nominations in the different award categories.

Mr Berry said: “The NHS is one of the nation’s most loved institutions, and it is right that we take the opportunity of its 70th birthday to recognise and thank the extraordinary people, the everyday ‘health and care heroes’, who are there to guide, support and care for us, day in, day out.

“I know that there are many examples of excellent care and practice benefitting local people.

"I would urge those working with and for health and care organisations in area to send me further examples they think deserve national recognition.”

MPs will choose one nomination per category, which they have to submit on March 23, and these will then be judged by senior local and regional NHS experts to find a regional champion in each category, which will be announced on May 21.

These regional champions will then be judged by a high-level panel, with the winners announced at a special awards ceremony in Parliament on July 4, which is the day before the NHS’s 70th birthday.

Further information on the Parliamentary Awards, including how to nominate and the criteria for each category, is available at www.nhs70awards.co.uk.