A hospital trust has launched its annual awards to recognise the hard work and dedication of its staff.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust has launched its annual PRIDE Awards – and the trust wants nominations.

The Hospital Hero category is voted for by the public.

Last year’s winner was the trust’s maternity team.

Community Midwife Rebecca McKeon, who has worked at the trust for six years, said the whole team was “over the moon.”

The 27-year-old added: “When I found out about it I felt really proud, it was lovely to have that recognition from our patients to say we’re doing a good job.

“I’ve wanted to be a midwife ever since I was a little girl so it was really gratifying.

“It also re-emphasised that our patients are happy with what we’re doing, and encourages us to continue working hard and keep the women we look after at the centre of everything.

“We made sure we celebrated it at our get-togethers.”

Former or current patients and their families can nominate anyone in the trust, which runs Queen’s and King George hospitals.

Another of last year’s winners, Graham Thwaites, head biomedical scientist at the trust who won in the Inspirational Leadership category, said: “It was really special as it was acknowledgement for our whole team.

“The PRIDE Awards are about the recognition you can give to someone else. Like a lot of teams, we’re not directly patient facing, so it was nice for us to be recognised too.”

Click here to nominate a team or individual.

Nominations are open until Monday October 1.

The PRIDE awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday December 11.