Wonder on wards or a great GP? Your chance to vote for an NHS hero

The prestigious accolade is designed to recognise the incredible talent of health and social care staff whose dedicated work across Yorkshire brings vital care to local people.

Each day 150,000 patients in the region will visit their GP, community nurse or mental health worker, while 5,000 will need treatment in accident and emergency departments (A&E) and one person every minute dials 999 for an ambulance.

The Yorkshire Post is asking readers to nominate workers they believe are outstanding examples of excellence in health and social care services and who deserve recognition for their superb work.

The Yorkshire Post NHS Health and Social Care Hero of the Year Award 2010 will celebrate the efforts of staff across front-line NHS and social services, as well as the voluntary, charity and independent sectors.

The award is a chance to say a public "thank you" for the exceptional and vital work done everyday. But it will also highlight and celebrate the work of heroes in the NHS and social services whose efforts have made a real difference to people they treat or whose ideas have led to dramatic transformation in services for people who may never know just how much they owe to the inspiration of one person.

It could be a doctor or nurse, or perhaps a volunteer, charity or social worker who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide outstanding service or it could be a colleague who is an inspiration for others.

A shortlist of nominations will be drawn up by a panel of judges and then it will be down to the public to cast their votes for the winner.

Chief executive of NHS Yorkshire and the Humber Bill McCarthy said: "I know that we have hundreds of heroes working in the health and social care services in Yorkshire, from doctors and nurses to volunteers, charity and social workers.

"All too often the great work that goes on receives little recognition – nominating someone you know as our 2010 Hero will help us to say a public 'thank you' for this exceptional and vital work. Let's celebrate the heroes that make a difference to people's lives."

Ariya De Silva, a sexual health specialist from Dewsbury who was the 2009 Hero, said: "I was over the moon when I found out I had won the award last year.

"It's a fantastic honour to receive such positive recognition for the work that I and my colleagues do."

After nominations close next month, a panel of judges will draw up a shortlist of five finalists who will be featured in the Yorkshire Post between September 27 and October 1.

The public will then be able to cast their vote for the winning hero from October 2-6.

Winners and those shortlisted will have their work highlighted and will be handed the opportunity to win further national recognition for their efforts giving them the chance for their work to have an inspirational impact in other parts of the country and bring even-greater benefits to patients living much further afield.

The award will be presented at the annual regional health and social care awards ceremony later this year which aims to highlight and celebrate innovation and excellence in the provision of services in Yorkshire.

Now in their third year, the awards recognise and encourage working together across organisations and professions, with patients and local people.

Anyone who would like to make a nomination can go to www.yorkshirepostnhshero.co.uk or send it in writing to the Yorkshire Post. The deadline for nominations is August 3.

Outstanding consultant

Sexual health specialist Ariya De Silva won last year's NHS Hero award for his outstanding work over nearly two decades in Yorkshire.

The consultant, who has since retired, worked in the Chadwick Clinic at Dewsbury and District Hospital.

In his daily work, he encountered numerous highly sensitive and personal problems.

He also made time to work with local schools, colleges and groups to raise the profile of his team's services and reduce the stigma of attending a sexual health clinic.

Among innovative features which stood out in his work, was the use of imaginative ideas to help break down barriers in hard-to-reach groups of patients.

Those included a beer mat campaign and a peer group to encourage young men to attend screenings.

He has also spent time editing a sexual health web information pack for schoolchildren, kept hospital staff, trainee doctors and nurses updated and taught at Huddersfield and Bradford universities.