HEALTH and care professionals will be celebrated at a special event next week.

The South Wales Argus Health and Care Awards presentation evening will take place at Chepstow Racecourse on October 19.

Finalists from the 15 award categories will be gathering to celebrate their achievements and discover who has won each award.

One of the 15 award categories that will be awarded is the Health Care Professional of the Year Award.

Sponsored by St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport, the award celebrates those who demonstrate an innovative and caring approach to their work.

They can be from any health care profession, and can work anywhere, but should demonstrate outstanding levels of commitment to patient care and put the patient at the heart of what they do.

Fiona Davies, business development director at St Joseph’s Hospital, said: “Healthcare professionals in both the NHS and private healthcare sector do a fantastic job of delivering an excellent standard of care to patients every day, but we often don’t think about the hard work that goes into achieving that.

“Without the dedication of our healthcare professionals we wouldn’t have access to services we rely on to stay healthy and ensure that we all experience a good quality of life.”

“We will all rely on healthcare professionals at some point in our lives and recognising the vital roles that people within different sectors of the profession play is so worthwhile.”

There are three finalists in the running for the award.

Russell Ham works at Specsavers at Austin Friars in Newport. Nominated for his work with low-vision patients he specialises in care for visually impaired patients.

He uses his experience in low vision with the team to better the service to those patients in need. He runs his own low vision clinics and knows most of his patients on a first name basis.

Jemma Price from Tredegar is Senior Care Companion at Woffington House and has worked to improve the home’s environment. She uses her artistic skills in enhancing residents’ living space and upholds individuals’ rights and choices by sharing their wishes and requests at team meetings. She has also taken the lead in supporting the Pimp My Zimmer Project.

Dr Keith Wilson is a haematologist at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and is a clinician who listens and supports patients and is open about treatment options.

While remaining professional he treats patients as friends. Family members express their gratitude to him for the care he takes with his patients and his human approach to patients who become isolated from the outside world.

To find out more about the awards visit southwalesargus.co.uk/healthandcareawards/news.