Nominations are now open for the Best of West Awards 2016.

Following the success of last year’s awards, NHS West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be running the awards for a second year, with 12 categories across the whole west Essex health and wellbeing spectrum.

A wide range of local people and organisations are set to be celebrated – with awards including, Best Community Project, Volunteer of the Year and the overall Best of West award – all up for grabs by schools, teachers, pharmacists, local residents or health and care professionals.
In addition, the CCG is encouraging people to join the conversation by tweeting their Best of West on twitter by using #BOWA16 and following @nhswestessex. Tweet a person or organisation who actively promotes health and wellbeing, which could include a favourite healthy restaurant, an inspirational football coach or someone who fundraises for charity.

Andrew Geldard, chief officer of West Essex CCG said: “These awards recognise the efforts by people in Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford to keep themselves, their family or their community well. We want to celebrate their contributions to west Essex with a cheer of: Your health!
“We’ll also be applauding the professionals who keep our local community healthy and ensure that local people experience high quality, joined-up care.”

Dr Rob Gerlis, chair of West Essex CCG said: “This is the second time we have run these awards and we want to build on the success of last year. It is so important to see the real stories behind what we do as a clinical commissioning group, to see the contributions made by volunteers and to recognise those who go above and beyond.
West Essex CCG wants to take the lead in recognising and rewarding the inspirational members of our community.”

Nominations can be made via the CCG website or by contacting the CCG to request a nomination form. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the West Essex CCG’s Annual General Meeting on 29 September 2016.

A full list of categories is below with criteria detailed on the West Essex CCG website at http://westessexccg.nhs.uk/news/best-of-west-awards-2016

Best of West Awards 2016 full list of categories:
Best Primary Care Award – for a professional or team who work in a GP surgery or clinic
Pharmaceutical Care Award – for someone who works in a local pharmacy
Leading with Care, Compassion and Respect Award – for ensuring patients receive high quality care
Caring Together Award – a local healthcare team that has worked closely with partners
Individual volunteer of the year – for a person who has helped improve health and care for people in their community
Best team or project of the year – for a team helping to improve health and care for people within the community
Best health education/educator – for anyone who encourages and has actively promoted young people in west Essex to live healthy, happy lives
CCG’s Unsung Hero Award – for someone quietly keeping the CCG moving
Best service design award – for shaping a service to deliver positive outcomes for people
Celebrating Diversity – for making a difference to the local area in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion
The Best of West Award – for an exceptional contribution to local health and care