PATIENTS who want to say thank you to exceptional nurses, midwives and therapy staff are being asked to make nominations for a special awards event.

The Director of Nursing Awards, (DONAs), is a celebration of nursing and midwifery staff who go above and beyond in caring for patients.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the annual awards.

Staff at Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover hospitals are eligible, as well as staff from Alton and Bordon community hospitals and those who make home visits to patients.

Nominations for the awards, which will be handed out at a glitzy award ceremony in July, are being welcomed from patients, their families and any other members of the public.

The winners will be selected by a panel of independent public representatives and will be announced on July 13, at The Elvetham Hotel, Hartley Wintney.

Nominations can be made until the end of April by visiting hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk, by visiting hospital to collect a nomination form, by calling Karen O’Hanlon on 01256 313435 or by emailing dona@hhft.nhs.uk.