Pembrokeshire health heroes have been recognised for their contribution to patient care at Hywel Dda Health Board's Best of Health Staff Awards.

The ceremony was held at Withybush Conference Centre last Thursday and was attended by almost 100 staff from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, as well as Pembrokeshire.

Winners and nominees came from a range of disciplines - from doctors and healthcare workers to catering staff and porters - 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 Health Board 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 Trevor Purt said: "We were extremely humbled and proud to read the high standard of nominations in this year's Best of Health Awards, all of which demonstrated the hard work and dedication to patient care that our staff foster and deliver every day.

"Our workforce is our greatest asset, and it is extremely important that we recognise this, through events such as this, and take stock of the positive impact our staff have on patients' lives."

Chairman Chris Martin added: "Staff have much to be proud of and this award ceremony is a token of thanks and recognition from the Health Board."

Two Pembrokeshire teams given special recognition on the day, in the category of Team of the Year, were the Chemotherapy Day Unit and Ward 10 at Withybush General Hospital.

The teams were nominated by patient Mr. Eric Dawson and his wife Phyllis, from Pembroke, in recognition of the care he has received.

Mr. Dawson said: "My nomination will be echoed by every patient who has ever visited the Chemotherapy Day Unit or visited Ward 10, they always have a smile, are helpful and fulfil their duties in a happy frame of mind, making the long day of treatment pass pleasantly - they are marvellous."

Following the awards, wife Phyllis added: "I didn't believe in angels until I met these staff and I am so pleased that they have been recognised in this way."

Other Pembrokeshire winners, or those highly commended included:

Unsung Hero (non-clinical): highly commended - Patient Support Services Department, Health Board Wide.

Team of the Year: highly commended - Hotel Facilities Assistants, St. Non's, Bro Cerwen, Withybush General Hospital; special recognition - Chemotherapy Day Unit and Ward 10, Withybush General Hospital.

Clinical Leader/Mentor of the Year: winner - Dr. Kanthaya Mohanaruban, Consultant Physician/Programme Director Foundation Year Doctors General Medicine, Withybush General Hospital.

Excellence in Partnership Working: highly commended - Suicide Prevention Action Team, Preseli Centre, Withybush General Hospital; winner - Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy, Mainstream Schools Team in Pembrokeshire.

Welsh Language Innovation: winner - Chris Hayes, Assistant Director of Nursing Practice.

Manager of the Year: Winner - Beverley Gardener, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing.