Staff at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) will find out who has been victorious at the Health Heroes Awards next Friday.

Nominees and guests from the Trust and the Bay Health and Care Partners will come together to celebrate the annual staff awards at The Villa Levens, near Kendal.

Flying the Furness flag includes nominees from six categories including the Student of the Year award and Outstanding Improvement in Patient Experience award.

Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive, UHMBT, said the event allows the Trust to thank its many contributors.

He said: “Our annual staff awards are undoubtedly one of the highlights on the Trust’s calendar for me and I am looking forward to the event next Friday.

“The awards not only allow the Trust to say thank you to staff, volunteers, governors and fundraisers, but it also gives the staff who are nominated and those that are crowned the winner, a real sense of pride.”

Nominations for the Innovation and Research Award include: Associate Specialist for A&E at Furness General Hospital (FGH) Dr Jacqueline Sutton.

Dental Nurse at FGH, Stephanie Gillies, has also been nominated for an Outstanding Improvement in Patient Experience Award.

Local contenders for the Going the Extra Mile Award, in which the winner is selected by patients, include the Ward Manager for Intensive Care at FGH, Helen Steer, as well as Barrow Town Integrated Care Community's Care Navigator, Rosie Wilkinson and Care Coordinator, Vicki O'Donnell.

Representing Ulverston, Dr Frida Svendsen has been put forward in the Trainee of the Year category.

Nursing Apprentice at FGH, James Scott, has been nominated for an Inclusion and Diversity Award.

Dr Jacqueline Sutton has also been recognised for her work as an Associate Specialist for A&E at FGH in the Innovation and Research category.

Ian Johnson, Chairman at UHMBT, praised the Health Heroes Awards for recognising the 'extraordinary work' carried out by staff members within the trust.

He said: “The awards celebrate the extraordinary work carried out by our colleagues who on a daily basis contribute to making University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust a great place to be cared for and a great place to work.”

The annual staff awards ceremony will kick off on Friday March 22.