HOSPITAL staff who ‘Go the Extra Mile’ are to be recognised.

Dorset County Hospital is calling for nominations for its annual staff awards, known as the GEM Awards.

The scheme recognises outstanding members of staff, volunteers and teams who have exceeded what is expected of them in terms of performance, effort and attitude.

Nominations can be made by members of staff, volunteers, patients, their families and friends, members of the public and employees of organisations the hospital works in partnership with.

Any member of staff, volunteer, student or apprentice can be nominated, wherever they work in the hospital. This year there are nine categories.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony in June, which will also include a celebration of staff receiving their 25 year NHS Long Service Award.

Visit www.dchft.nhs.uk/staff/Pages/GEM-Awards.aspx

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on March 20.

There are nine categories in the awards. They are:

• Chairman's Award

• Innovation Award

• Leadership Award

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Patient Choice Award

• Patient Safety Award

• Student/Apprentice of the Year Award

• Team of the Year Award

• Volunteer Award