NOMINATIONS are still open for the first ever South Wales Argus Health and Care Awards.

With 15 categories to choose from, the awards aim to reflect the range of work done by those working within these sectors and organisations providing services.

Categories include Innovative Care in the Care Home Sector, GP Practice of the Year, Health Care Professional of the Year, Early Years Award, Healthy Neighbourhood Award and the Best Patient and Public Involvement Award.

Nominations can also be made for Volunteer of the Year, Third Sector or Community Team of the Year, Mental Health Team of the Year, Hospital Team of the Year, Health Campaign of the Year, Best Innovation Award, Research Impact Award, Together we Achieve Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The awards have been backed by the Welsh Government’s health secretary Vaughan Gething, who spoke at a launch event at the Royal College of Nursing in Cardiff earlier this week.

The Labour secretary said the events would allow patients, families and others: “To showcase the excellence that exists, to showcase the commitment that exists, to show the innovation and improvement that exists.

“I reluctantly accept that the health service will work fine without me but it wouldn’t work without those health care support workers, physiotherapists and doctors,” he said.

“All of those people and the support around them are what makes our service truly fantastic.

“So, I look forward to seeing that quality, that thirst for improvement and that public commitment come out in the nominations people make.”

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, August 25, with winners to be announced at a special presentation event at Chepstow Racecourse on October 19.

To nominate or find out more visit southwalesargus.co.uk/healthandcareawards

- Sponsorships are still open for four categories in the awards. For more information call the Argus’ head of events Cathey Parsons on 01633 777 126.