If you have received great treatment or care from staff at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust we would like to hear about it.

The Kent Messenger has once again teamed up with the organisation to launch a readers’ Hospital Hero award.

We want to hear from anyone who feels someone has delivered the kind of care and support deserving extra recognition.

In these difficult times of increased pressure on health service resources ,being a Hospital Hero has never been more important.

This year’s appeal to our readers is slightly different as we are on the look-out for two heroes - one from Maidstone Hospital and one from the Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.

The gong aims to recognise employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help patients over the last year.

Miles Scott, Chief Executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: “Everyone who works in a hospital, from porters to nurses, receptionists and doctors, helps to make a difference to our patients’ experience. That’s why the readers’ Hospital Hero award is especially important, because it gives our patients, or their friends or family members, a chance to voice their appreciation and for our staff to know that their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed."

Votes can either be for an individual, a team, or a ward/department.

The team on the Mercer Ward at Maidstone Hospital were crowned our winners after the votes were assessed last year. The ward is a 26 bed unit caring for elderly patients.

Doctor, broadcaster and comedian Dr Phil Hammond joined Mr Scott and chairman David Highton on stage at a glitzy ceremony to present the awards in front of more than 300 members of staff in November 2018.

Nominations are open so make sure you have your say by completing the online form here by 1pm on Friday, October 25.

Alternatively you can email our reporter Lydia Catling with details or your nominee. Send messages to lcatling@thekmgroup.co.uk and be sure to include your nominee’s name, their department and hospital, plus details of what makes them special. Please provide your contact details too.

The award will be presented to the winner, along with a series of other awards for hospital staff, at a glitzy ceremony at High Rocks, in Tunbridge Wells, on Friday, November 15.

To nominate your Hospital Hero 2019, head to our online form

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone