Local residents can nominate their health heroes for this year's NHS Ayrshire Achieves award scheme.

The staff recognition scheme honours excellence and innovation that demonstrates continuous improvement in the quality of care and celebrates exceptional achievements during the year.

This year, the six categories are:

Care and compassion: This award is for an individual or team who has demonstrated care and compassion towards colleagues or patients and their families with exceptional care, compassion, dignity and respect.

Shining stars: This award is for an individual, team or volunteer who goes above and beyond what is expected of them.

Thinking out of the box: This award is for an individual or team who has done something new or different; delivered innovation, reform, or found solutions against all the odds.

Collaboration and working together: This award is for a team who has demonstrated exceptional teamworking and collaboration.

Making a difference with digital: This award is for an individual or team who is doing things differently using digital approaches.  

Behind the scenes: This award is for staff who make a real difference without most people knowing about it.

Lesley Bowie, chair of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “Ayrshire Achieves has been running for some time now, and is a great way for members of the public and our staff to recognise those working in health and care services for the fantastic job they are doing.

“So, if you know someone working in the NHS or with our health and social care partnerships across East, North and South Ayrshire, who has gone the extra mile to help you, why not nominate them for an award?”

Claire Burden, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, added: “Every day we hear examples of our dedicated staff going the extra mile. They don’t do this in anticipation of awards, it is because they are committed to providing safe and high-quality care in all that they do. This is an opportunity for all of us, and members of the public to say, ‘You left an impression on me, and thank you!’”

The closing date for entries is Sunday, February 25, with the awards ceremony set to take place on Thursday, June 6.

For full details, visit www.nhsaaa.net/ayrshireachieves. Those with no access to the internet can call for free on 0800 169 1441.