It’s time to nominate outstanding frontline workers and volunteers for the Oxfordshire Health & Care Awards and show these unsung heroes that their courage has not gone unnoticed.

Over the past year, emergency services, medical teams, nursing homes and charity staff across the board have selflessly risked their lives to ensure patients and the most vulnerable in our community receive the best care possible.

The awards aim to recognise their indomitable spirit and ongoing commitment to support those affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Editor of the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times, Pete Gavan, said: “We are very proud to be launching these awards and hope the community will join us in celebrating the tremendous dedication and courage of healthcare teams, charities and volunteers during this global pandemic. From dauntless frontline doctors to nurses caring for the most vulnerable in their homes to the volunteer vaccinators driving the immunisation programme locally, people across Oxfordshire have been going above and beyond the call of duty and we look forward to sharing their stories over the coming months.”

There are 12 categories to choose from: Health Care Team, Care Hero, Care Home Worker, Healthcare Employer, Domiciliary Care Worker, Good Nurse, Adolescent and Child Health Care, Dementia Carer, Volunteer of the Year, Unsung Hero in the Community, Mental Health and GP Practice of the Year.

Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges and the winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony broadcast live on our Facebook page on May 21. The jury will also handpick one exceptional finalist, be they an individual or a team, to receive the coveted Outstanding Contribution to Health & Social Care Award.

The awards have already received the backing of hospital bosses and a number of local organisations, including patient-care champion Healthwatch Oxfordshire.

“Celebrating the commitment, skill and compassion of our local health and care workers and volunteers has never been more timely,” said executive director Rosalind Pearce.

“The past year has presented us all with challenges, but it has undoubtedly been particularly hard for anyone caring for the unwell, vulnerable and elderly – whether that is on the frontline or in our communities.

“I welcome these awards as an ideal opportunity to recognise the contribution of people who have gone above and beyond in unprecedented times.”

To nominate your local healthcare heroes simply go to oxfordmail.co.uk/awards to tell us who you think deserves to be recognised. The deadline for entries the end of March.

All nominees should be willing to be featured in the Oxford Mail, Oxford Times and online and have their picture taken, if required.