The NHS is undoubtedly one of the most cherished institutions in the UK, having provided care to people from birth to the end of their lives for over 75 years. When it was founded in 1948, the NHS was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery. Those principles remain as relevant, and valued, today as they did in the years after the Second World War.
Throughout the years, the NHS has continuously adapted and innovated to meet the changing needs of each generation, always placing patients at the centre of everything it does. During the pandemic, having a single national health service allowed us to conduct research on an unprecedented scale and find the world's first effective Covid-19 treatment, dexamethasone, making it accessible to every hospital on the same day it was approved. It enabled us to not just deliver the first accredited Covid-19 vaccine in the world but to rollout the NHS vaccine programme with a combination of speed and precision unseen elsewhere.
These remarkable achievements are a testament to the skill, dedication, and compassion of NHS staff, as well as the numerous volunteers, charities, and communities that support the service. It is important to recognise and honour these individuals who dedicate their lives to helping the most vulnerable in our society. The NHS Parliamentary Awards offer an excellent opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the extraordinary work of NHS and social care staff.
I know how much the awards have meant to all those who have been nominated in previous years. There are some excellent and innovative things going on in Bury St Edmunds constituency and I want to show case and honour the ‘best of the best’ in our area to the rest of England and Parliament. Over the next few weeks, I would love to hear about the individuals and teams who have made a significant difference in your life by providing the best possible care during times of need.
This year, there are 10 categories in the awards, covering everything from Primary and Community Care, to Mental Health Care to the NHS Rising Star Award – the full list of categories and the criteria for each can be found at - NHS England » NHS Parliamentary Awards categories and criteria
Information on how to nominate is available at - NHS England » NHS Parliamentary Awards The deadline for nominations is 24 April 2023 – I look forward to reading about the NHS heroes who have made a difference to your lives!
