THE public is being urged to nominate health workers for awards.

Nominations close next Wednesday for this year's Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust's (PCT) Achievement Awards.

The aim of the scheme is to reward excellence and service improvement and to recognise individuals who have made an exceptional contribution in the service they have provided for patients in Durham and Chester-le-Street.

The PCT is asking the public, and health care staff, in the area to nominate members of staff working in their GP's or dentist's surgery, opticians, pharmacy, health clinic, community hospital or PCT headquarters.

This year's award categories include:

* Excellent service to the community such as in district nursing, health visiting, public health or health promotion work.

* Excellence in primary care, such as from staff in a local pharmacy, dental surgery, GP surgery or opticians.

* Supporting PCT and patient services, which includes staff who provide support services such as finance, administration and human resources.

There are also awards for those who have helped change the service or who have produced an article for a national publication.

Staff can also be nominated for an overall special recognition award.

The awards will be judged next month by representatives from the PCT and the local community and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham on October 19.

Nomination forms for the awards are available in PCT offices, GPs' surgeries, dentists, pharmacies, opticians, health centres and other public places in the area, or by logging on to www.durhamcls-pct.nhs.uk