THEY are the unsung heroes who quietly go above and beyond their duties to care for patients and their families.

Today the Daily Echo is backing Poole NHS Hospital Trust’s Hospital Heroes campaign to celebrate the dedication of staff and volunteers who have gone the extra mile to bring a smile to those who are suffering.

Now Daily Echo readers can nominate anyone employed by the trust in sixth year of the awards.

Whether it is a doctor who has pulled out all the stops to put you at ease, a receptionist who has helped calm your nerves or a porter, nurse, midwife, physiotherapist or volunteer, the hospital wants to hear from you.

Nominees may also be someone who works behind the scenes and is essential to the smooth running of the hospital.

And in a new category for this year, those that uphold the hospital’s values – the Poole Approach – will be celebrated in the Living Our Values Award.

Debbie Fleming, chief executive of Poole Hospital said the awards are a way to say thank you to staff, volunteers, teams and fundraisers who deliver a service ‘over and above expectations.’

She said: “The awards are a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on staff, volunteers and fundraisers who go the extra mile for our patients.

“In addition to categories recognising great care, innovation and selflessness, our values – the Poole Approach – also take centre stage with their own category.

“The new Living Our Values Award seeks to recognise those that uphold the highest standards, showing compassion, openness, respect, accountability and safety in all they do.”

The eight categories this year include Employee of the Year, Going the Extra Mile, Excellence in Patient Care, Volunteer of the Year and Fundraiser of the Year.

The deadline for nominations to be received is midnight on March 17. The awards will be presented at a special event on April 24.

For the online nomination form, full list of categories and judging criteria go to www.poole.nhs.uk