‘Outstanding’ - that’s what you think of much-loved midwife Denise

Denise Mace, a Band 7 midwife at Sunderland Royal Hospital, admitted to being ‘surprised and quite emotional’ after learning she was in the running for a Best of Health Award.

Part of the stirring nomination said: “The skill and knowledge Denise displays is unbelievable.”

Denise told the Echo: “I got an email to say I had been nominated and I thought ‘oh my goodness.’ I was quite surprised and quite emotional.”

She described her love for the women she helps and said: “I like to go round each room and make sure they are happy with their care. It is nice to listen to their stories.

“And it is nice to see mums come back for subsequent babies and they recognise you. I really enjoy the rapport.”

Denise also embraces the challenge of change in her job, and described how she once implemented a new project which helped to bring down re-admission rates for women who’d had a Caesarean section.

And just as importantly, she told of her love for the team around her and said: “That goes across the spectrum.”

Denise started nursing training in 1997 and qualified as an adult nurse in 2000.

By 2004, she had moved to becoming a Band 7 level midwife.

The nominations are streaming in for the competition - but we want even more.

We shall be aiming to report on most of the nominated causes in the weeks to come.

That way, the top-class workers in our health profession get the recognition they deserve, whether or not they pick up an award at the end of the competition.

We need your nominations in the categories listed below.

Nominations can come from all sources. It can come from the health service professionals themselves, their colleagues, members of the public – or from anyone who feels they know someone who deserves to be rewarded.

Once nominations come in, it will be up to a panel of judges to decide on a shortlist.

Then it is on to the finals night which will be held at the Roker Hotel, in Sunderland, on Thursday, May 9.

We want you to nominate your own health heroes and here are some details of this year’s competition.

THE SPONSORS

Once again the Shields Gazette and Sunderland Echo are holding the annual awards in partnership with South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. The sponsors for this year’s awards include Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and East Coast Fitness.

THE TIMELINE

The deadline for all nominations to be submitted is Friday, April 5, and the judges will meet the following week to decide on the shortlist.

The final will be held at the Roker Hotel, in Sunderland, on Thursday, May 9.

HOW TO ENTER

To nominate, send your name, address and phone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known). Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into. And send a detailed reason as to why you think your nominated person or organisation should be chosen as the winner.

There are three ways you can nominate:

lEmail those entries to [email protected] .

lSend them to Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton, Sunderland, DH4 5RA.

lNominate online. Visit the website at http://www.nehealthawards.co.uk.

THE CATEGORIES

• GP or GP Practice of the Year.

• Dentist or Dental Practice of the Year.

• Pharmacist or Pharmacy of the Year.

• Hospital Doctor of the Year.

• Nurse of the Year.

• Optometrist of the Year.

• Therapist of the Year.

• Midwife of the Year.

• Care Worker of the Year.

• Customer Service/Unsung Hero of the Year.

• Community Healthcare Initiative Year.

• Healthier Lifestyle Award.

• Mental Wellbeing Award.

• Lifetime Achievement Award.