IT HAS been a difficult time for the NHS in recent months - but working tirelessly behind the scenes, saving lives and caring for the sick are the fantastic staff at Ipswich Hospital.

IT HAS been a difficult time for the NHS in recent months - but working tirelessly behind the scenes, saving lives and caring for the sick are the fantastic staff at Ipswich Hospital.

And today is your chance to say a huge thank you to the staff who made a difference to your stay or your treatment in hospital.

The hospital is joining forces with The Evening Star to launch its first ever awards ceremony and is calling on you to send in nominations for the patients' award.

Perhaps you want to thank the person who saved your life, the porter who pushed you around the hospital, or the nurse who simply uttered a word of kindness that made your stay more bearable. We want to hear about them.

It does not need to be a member of clinical staff and can be a volunteer.

Jan Rowsell, spokeswoman for the hospital, said: “We receive many letters of praise from patients who tell us of exceptional kindness, professional expertise and excellent patient care- the qualities to which the whole hospital aspires.

“This is the opportunity to recognise staff who demonstrate these qualities every day.”

The Ipswich Hospital Gala Awards night, sponsored by Call Connection, will be held on November 17.

The patients' award is sponsored by the Star and is the only award which gives those who use the hospital a chance to voice their opinions.

There are seven other awards categories and the winners for these will be chosen by staff in the hospital, so the patients' award is really special.

Nigel Pickover, Evening Star editor, said: “The incredible people that look after patients at Ipswich Hospital continue to stagger and amaze us.

“In a difficult period for the NHS in Suffolk the shining light has been the staff at Ipswich Hospital.

“It is an honour to sponsor this award and we look forward to receiving lots of nominations.”

As staff continue to work against the backdrop of massive debts in the local NHS your support and recognition of the outstanding work they do is more vital than ever.

All nominations must be received by November 4.

If you would like to make a nomination send the name of the member of staff and a description of why you think they deserve to win to Ipswich Hospital Patients Award, c/o Sarah Gillett, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.

The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Gala Awards 2005.

As well as the Evening Star patients' award there are a variety of different categories. These will be nominated and chosen by hospital staff.

Innovation Award -This award recognises teams or individuals who have shown innovative, unique and original thinking to improve patient care or working conditions for staff.

Sponsor: OCS

Leadership Award -This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership. This may be someone who has implemented new ways of working or a new system, or and has led their team successfully through its implementation. Or it may be someone who has inspired a team to work together more effectively or improve performance or team spirit.

Sponsor: BBC Radio Suffolk

Improving Working Lives Award -This award recognises individuals or teams who have demonstrated real commitment to Improving Working Lives (IWL) standards. This may mean excelling in one or more of the key areas or putting into practice other ways of working which benefit entire teams and departments.

Sponsor: Prettys Solicitors

Chairman's Award-This award recognises individuals or teams who have developed successful partnership initiatives with other organisations such as PCTs (Primary Care Trusts) or social services.

Sponsor: East Anglian Daily Times

Volunteer of the Year-The hospital has more than 400 volunteers who make an immense contribution to the life of our hospital. This award recognises a volunteer who has made an exceptional contribution or shown dedicated commitment to the hospital.

Sponsor: Ipswich and Norwich Co-Operative Society

Unsung Hero 2005-This award is for somebody who deserves an award just for being them! These individuals have given exceptional service over and above their job, they have shown consistent reliability and adaptability and deserve recognition.

Sponsor: Ipswich Borough Council

Life Long Learning Award - For champions of life long learning, and professional and personal development. There are many colleagues and teams who promote and bring new opportunities for all staff within the hospital, to continue to learn and develop new skills and discover new talents.

Sponsor: The Learning and Skills Council for Suffolk