NOMINATIONS are sought for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s annual Director of Nursing Awards.

The awards, also known as the DONAs, celebrate the outstanding dedication, care and compassion shown by Hampshire Hospitals’ ward and community staff.

They give patients and their relatives the opportunity to show how much they appreciate outstanding nurses, midwives and therapy staff working for Hampshire Hospitals by nominating them for a special award.

Staff who are eligible for the awards deliver care at Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, as well as community locations, or in patients’ own homes.

Donna Green, chief nurse at Hampshire Hospitals, said: “We really want to hear from patients or visitors who feel that individuals or teams working for our Trust have provided them with exceptional, compassionate care.”

Patients and visitors can choose to nominate either an individual nurse, midwife or therapist, or a team of nurses, midwives or therapists who have made a difference.

The winners will be announced during a ceremony in the summer, with a range of awards up for grabs, including some chosen by local Rotary groups.

Donna added: “The awards are held specifically to celebrate the contribution that nurses, midwives and therapy staff make to their patients. They also provide an opportunity for patients to thank individuals or teams who have made a difference to them by going beyond the call of duty.”

Nominations must be submitted by the end of April.

To nominate, visiting the Hampshire Hospitals website at hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk. Forms are also available around the hospitals or by calling Karen O’Hanlon on 01256 313435 or e-mailing [email protected].