NOMINATIONS are now open for awards recognising the extra mile staff, teams and volunteers have gone to at a Dorset hospital.

Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has opened the nominations for its annual Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards which aim to recognise and praise those who have gone over and above what is expected of them in an effort to make difference to people's lives.

The GEM Awards 2021 will be a night of celebration to honour the dedication and commitment of those staff and volunteers that colleagues, patients and their friends and family feel have made a difference throughout the pandemic.

The awards evening, which will be held in November, will also recognise those staff members receiving their 25 year NHS Long Service Award.

Trust chairman Mark Addison said: "Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we sadly had to cancel the 2020 GEM Awards so we are really looking forward to welcoming them back this year.

"It's been a year and a half like no other and we are so incredibly proud of all our amazing staff for working under such demanding circumstances.

"The GEM Awards are a great opportunity to recognise and thank our staff and volunteers for all they do for our trust and our patients, so I would encourage you all to nominate those individuals and/or teams who have made a lasting impression."

The deadline for submitting a nomination is 5pm on September 10. For more information on the awards categories and to make a nomination, visit www.dchft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/gem-awards-2021