PATIENTS who want to say thank you to Basingstoke hospital staff for exceptional care are being urged to nominate them for a special awards event.

Hospital bosses have launched the Director of Nursing Awards 2014 for nursing, midwifery and therapy staff.

The awards are open to all Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust staff across the hospitals in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester and are also open to staff working from Alton and Bordon Community Hospitals.

The awards recognise the outstanding dedication, care and compassion staff provide to patients.

Nominations are welcome from members of the public or patients and will be reviewed and judged by a panel of public representatives.

Donna Green, chief nurse, said: “We are delighted to launch the ninth annual Director of Nursing Awards.

“We would love to hear from patients or visitors who feel that individuals or teams have gone beyond the call of duty to give exceptional care.”

There are two categories for nominations - individual nurse, midwife or therapist and nursing, midwifery, or therapy team.

In addition, there are three special awards - the Wallace award for outstanding care for patients at the end of their life, the Rotary Club award for the overall winner and the Chief Medical Officer’s award, sponsored by HHFT’s Dr Andrew Bishop.

Nominations for the Director of Nursing Awards can be made anytime from now until the end of May 2014. Winners will be announced at a special award ceremony in June.

To make a nomination visit hampshire hospitals.nhs.uk, complete a nomination form at Basingstoke hospital, call 01256 313435 or email dona@hhft.nhs.uk.