Local unsung heroes of the health service have been recognised for their contribution to patient care at Hywel Dda NHS Trust's Best of Health Staff Awards.

The ceremony was held at West Wales General Hospital on Tuesday, June 23, and was attended by more than 70 staff from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Winners and nominees came from a range of disciplines - from doctors and nurses to IT specialists and librarians - representing the huge field of careers available in the NHS and the contribution they all make to delivering patient care and saving lives.

The awards scheme is organised by the Trust in order to recognise and reward staff who go the extra mile in their day-to-day work. Nominations were invited from staff, patients, carers, relatives, GPs, voluntary groups and the general public.

Chief executive Martin Turner said: "We are extremely grateful and proud of the work carried out by our staff - they really are our greatest asset. This event provides us with an opportunity to thank and recognise some of the exemplarily work that is carried out by individuals and teams and to take stock of the positive impact this has on our patients' lives."

Chairman Chris Martin added: "It was a really humbling experience to read the award entries, which were of an extremely high standard. Choosing the winners was a very rewarding, but difficult task."

The Chief Executive's Award for Outstanding Service Innovation or Excellence in Improving Patient Care or Experience was awarded to the Trust's Intra-Vitreal Lucentis Service, which treats Wet Age Related Macula Degeneration.

Highly commended in this category went to the Therapy Assistant Practitioner project at Withybush Hospital's Adult Clinical Decision Unit, and Commended to Learning Disabilities Community Nurse for Llanelli Tracey Lloyd.

Other local winners and runners-up were:

Healthcare Worker of the Year: Highly Commended - Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, consultant psychiatrist, Canolfan Bro Cerwyn, Haverfordwest; Winner - Ann Thomas, healthcare assistant, Acute Stroke Unit Ward 11, Withybush General Hospital.

Clinical leader/mentor of the year: winner - Mr. Withanage, acting locum consultant, Withybush General Hospital

Manager of the Year: winner - Elaine Jones, team leader, Haven Way Psychiatric Day Hospital, Fort Road, Pembroke Dock.

Unsung hero (non-clinical): Commended - Gill Lee-Munson, health visitor, Winch Lane Surgery, Haverfordwest; Winner - Neil Gillies, learning and development manager (informatics), Withybush General Hospital.

Team of the Year: Highly Commended - Cleddau River Day Unit, South Pembrokeshire Hospital, Health and Social Care Resource Centre.

Patient safety award, supported by the 1000 Lives Campaign: winner - Reducing Surgical Complications, Emergency and Critical Patient Flow Directorate, Withybush General Hospital.

The Best of Health Staff Awards will now become an annual event within the new Hywel Dda Local Health Board.