‘HEALTHCARE heroes’ have been honoured.

All three NHS Bradford district and Craven clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have saluted staff and volunteers for their efforts.

Honours were handed out at the groups’ annual general meetings.

The accolades included an Above and Beyond award for those who exceed the call of duty to deliver an “outstanding” service.

A Living Well Heroes category recognised those who make a difference to wellbeing through the promotion of self-care, and by supporting people to take control of their own health.

And there were honours for partnership, patient experience and volunteering heroes.

Helen Hirst, chief officer of NHS Bradford district and Craven CCGs, said: “This annual event is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who make a real difference to local people and communities through the work they do.

“I would like to thank everyone who nominated somebody for an award.

“Selecting winners for each of the categories is always really hard.

“All of the nominees make a huge contribution to health and care every day and it’s important to acknowledge those who go the extra mile for our local communities.”

In the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven awards, the Partnership Hero accolade went to Vicki Beere and colleagues at Project 6, Keighley’s drugs and alcohol agency.

Awards organisers said: “As well as being chief executive of an award-winning drug and alcohol charity, Vicki won for her hard work towards building partnerships in our area, her representation of the voluntary and community sector and ensuring voices are heard.”

The Volunteering Hero winner was Ed Bury, of Kilmeny, Long Lee and Oakworth patient participation groups.

“Ed has been a key force behind the development of patient participation groups across three GP practices,” said organisers.

“He supports and facilitates meetings as well as attending local and regional events and workshops to share experience and also bring learning back to his groups.”

In the Bradford Districts CCG honours, NCT Bradford Breastfeeding Buddies took the Volunteering Hero title.

The group – described as “amazing” by judges – supports women with breastfeeding at both Airedale Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary and at seven community venues.

“Most of them have young children themselves yet volunteer regularly to help new mums develop the confidence to breastfeed,” said an awards spokesman.

Above and Beyond awards in the NHS Bradford Districts CCG scheme went to Iain Maxwell and Helen Muff.

In addition to his ‘day job’ as quality assurance officer with NHS Bradford district and Craven CCGs, Iain has spearheaded the THiNK Learning Disabilities initiative. which aims to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and reduce inequalities.

And Helen, case manager at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, was praised as being “relentless in her will to give patients the best possible care”.

Other award winners were:

Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG: Above and Beyond – Dr Caroline Rayment, Grange Park Surgery, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Bradford Districts CCG : Partnership Hero – Julie Wakefield, Healthy Lifestyle Solutions.

Bradford City CCG : Above and Beyond – Babs Cooper, social prescriber, Bevan Healthcare; Living Well Hero – Talk Cancer Project team and the engagement team at Bradford District and Craven CCGs; Patient Experience Hero – Joanne Ward, patient engagement lead, Kensington Partnership.