TIME is running out to nominate an outstanding member of nursing staff for a special award.

There are just two weeks left until the deadline for nominations for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Nursing Awards.

The DONA awards recognise the outstanding dedication, care and compassion nursing, midwifery and therapy staff provide to patients. The winners will be announced at the ninth annual award ceremony on Monday, June 9. Nursing, midwifery and therapy staff from all three Hampshire Hospitals sites in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester can be nominated for a DONA, as well as those staff working from Alton and Bordon Community Hospitals.

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

HHFT director of nursing Donna Green said: “It is always heart-warming to read the nominations as they come in, and I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to send a nomination so far.

“We have had almost 200 nominations but there is always room for more right up until the deadline.

“All of our staff aim to provide excellent, compassionate care to our patients and it really does mean a lot to them to have their work recognised.

“This year’s nominations have included a lady who was so impressed by the care from her midwife that her baby has the midwife’s name as her middle name, and several nominations from families who have been touched by the care given at the end of a family member’s life.

“I am so proud to read nominations that talk about positivity, encouragement, dignity and in some cases, how the care given by a member of staff has changed a patient’s life.”

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

There are also other special awards - the Wallace award for outstanding care for patients at the end of their life, winners chosen by the Rotary Clubs of Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover and the chief medical officer’s award.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday 30 April.

To make a nomination, visit www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/dona, email dona@hhft.nhs.uk or pick up a nomination form at Basingstoke hospital.