Spread the word: The search is on to find Oxford Health’s hero of 2019 voted for by the public.

We want nominations for who you think is the best individual or team across the whole of the trust who deserves to win our coveted Improving Patient Experience Awards in this year’s Staff Recognition Award.

This special award gives the public – our patients, friends and carers – the chance to recognise the outstanding care and support given to you by a member of our staff or a team, who you feel has made a real difference to your experience.

They can work in any discipline – from mental health to community services and across all geographical areas.

So, whether they are a clinician in Bucks, a school nurse in Oxfordshire, a therapist in Wiltshire or a health visitor, care worker, dentist, social worker or a member in any of our 260 teams working at our 150 locations, please let us know.

Oxford Health – whose ethos is to have caring, safe and excellent care delivered by excellent people –  currently has a 6,700-plus workforce. It’s highly likely there are many stars in a galaxy of great workers to choose from.

But it’s your vote that matters.

Last year’s winner was Vaughan Thomas, (pictured) the deputy team manager for the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in Melksham, Wiltshire

His nominations stated: “Vaughan went out of his way to help us and prompt others to give us the extra help that we needed he has given us excellent care.”

And: “Vaughan has shown that it is possible to take the care and support offered in a weekly therapy session  and reach out from a hospital environment with kindness.”

His win came as the highlight at the end of an evening of presentations at last year’s staff awards event, which was attended by more than 100 staff, friends, family and senior trust leaders.

For Vaughan the announcement of his award win – which was accompanied by whoops and cheers – came as a real shock.

Humbled by the accolade, he said: “I feel honoured. It’s an incredible personal achievement but I feel it’s me who is privileged to work for the young people we work with. So, I’m really chuffed to be recognised.”

He added: “It’s been a fantastic evening listening to all the awards that have been won and it’s truly amazing to be a part of it all.”

He received an engraved glass trophy bearing his name and a £100 voucher.

Trust chief executive Stuart Bell told the audience at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, of his gratitude and pride in being part of such an ‘incredible’ Trust family.

He said: “I want to thank you all because you are truly outstanding people.

“The trust vision says outstanding care delivered by people. Well you are all here tonight and anybody who has been nominated for these awards is, I believe, outstanding.

“You’ve heard what you and your colleagues have been doing over course of the past year and why these awards have been given.

“It’s absolutely fantastic and I am so proud to be part of the same team as you and I am so grateful for what you do. Thank you so much.”

This year’s awards – now in their fifth year – will take place at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford on Tuesday, December 3.

Nominations for the public award are open now, with the remainder opening on Monday, July 15. All form must be received by 5pm on September 27.

You can download the nomination form to fill in yourself or share with friends.

You can also request a form by emailing StaffAwards@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

• post your completed nomination form to Staff Awards Team, Oxfordshire Health NHS Foundation Trust,  HR Department, Staff Recognition Awards, White Building, Littlemore MHC, 33 Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4XN.

• hand in your nomination form to a member of staff in a sealed envelope for the attention of Staff Awards (as above).